Officer-involved shooting in Racine leaves one man dead, under investigation

RACINE (WITI) -- An investigation is underway, into an officer-involved shooting. Officials say at approximately 12:16 p.m., Racine Police Officers were dispatched to an address in the 3000 block of Durand Avenue for a report of a suicidal party on Sunday, July 6th.

"One of the neighbors whose home bound heard them say 'sir, put down the knife'," says Karen Geisheker, nearby resident.

Police say after entering into the apartment building, officers made contact with the man, who was armed with a weapon. The man failed to follow officer commands to drop his weapon and his actions continued to threaten the officers, which led police to shoot him.

A woman who lives nearby, says she knows the man's girlfriend, and spoke with her moments after.

"She saw them put him in the ambulance and she was trying to talk to him and he was unresponsive," says Geisheker.

Racine Fire Department paramedics attempted to save the man's life and transported him to Wheaton Franciscan Hospital, but he did not survive his injuries.

The Racine County Sheriff’s Office has been called in to lead the investigation in compliance with recently enacted Wisconsin law (Act 348), which requires an outside agency for all officer involved shootings.

Racine Police aren't revealing whether the man was mentally ill, but neighbors say, he was.

"He wasn`t in his right mind," says Geisheker.

Racine Police have not held a press conference on the shooting, instead, they released a statement with information. They also say the investigation is active.

Monitor FOX6News and FOX6Now.com for details on this developing story.