Police ID man shot, killed by officer during burglary investigation in Caledonia

CALEDONIA -- Police held a news conference Monday morning, Aug. 19 after a man was shot and killed by an officer on Crystal Spring near Richmond Drive during a burglary investigation in Caledonia in Racine County Sunday, Aug. 18 -- joined by Racine police and deputies after an officer was hurt in the line of duty. Investigators did not take questions from the media Monday morning, but remained hopeful about the officer's condition.

"We are not going to answer questions," said Lt. Gary Larsen with the Caledonia Police Department. "It's still an active investigation."

Caledonia police said around 5 p.m., officers responded to a burglary in progress on Crystal Spring -- where a uniformed officer encountered a male "who immediately engaged the officer with an edged weapon, causing a serious head wound to the officer."

"The injured officer responded to the use of deadly force against him by discharging his duty weapon," said Lt. Larsen.

"It wasn't 30 seconds later, and I heard five shots," said Cathy Ringwelski, neighbor.

The injured officer discharged his duty weapon, striking the individual, ending the threat. The man was identified as Jared Nelson, 38, of Racine.

The officer, a four-year veteran of the Caledonia Police Department, was released from the hospital and recovering at home Monday.

Nelson died at the scene.

The Racine Police Department will be in charge of the investigation into this fatal, officer-involved shooting.

"The Caledonia Police Department is grateful for the support and assistance of Chief Art Howell and the Racine Police Department, Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, whose agency provided law enforcement coverage for the Village of Caledonia immediately after the incident, Chief Matt Soens from the Village of Mount Pleasant Police Department, whose officers responded and assisted at the initial call, the Wisconsin State Patrol, for assisting in the investigation, and Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson, for her guidance during this event," said Lt. Larsen. "The Caledonia Police Department would also like to express its appreciation for the community, for the support, well wishes, and prayers. We are very humbled by the overwhelming support of the community."