Town of Geneva Police Department identifies officers involved in fatal shooting
WALWORTH COUNTY -- The Town of Geneva Police Department on Tuesday, January 12th identified the two officers involved in a fatal officer-involved shooting. Officers Eric Anderson, 41, and Jason Sweeney, 39, have been placed on administrative leave per department procedure.
The incident all started Friday evening, January 8th shortly after 5:00 p.m.
Officials say a man was shot and killed by an officer in Walworth County, after he allegedly tried to break into a resident's home. Officials say the man then became combative with the homeowner before ignoring police demands.
Broken glass was scattered in the snow outside of the home on Lincoln Drive, while the owner, who chose not to be identified, recounted the frightening ordeal.
"There were people over. They all started screaming. I came out of my room and to the other room. I could see a battle axe coming through the window over and over again," said the homeowner.
While his guests took cover in a back room, the homeowner went outside to confront the suspect.
"It was fight or flight," said the homeowner. "The person had some issues, wanted to get to some people, appeared to be deranged, eyes were wild, wasn't reasonable and then turned toward me and started coming at me with the axe swinging it. He then reached back and pulled out a chain and started whipping it in the air and going after me with that."
The man dodged the weapons and tried to keep the suspect at bay until help arrived.
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"Then the police officers came. They came on the front line. This person redirected himself toward them. They surrounded him, and he pulled out a dagger. He was holding it out -- threatening them. Then they gave him warnings," said the homeowner.
When the resident went inside, shots were fired.
"I came out and seen he had fallen to the ground on his side. There was no movement," said the homeowner.
The homeowner recognized the suspect and said he knew him from around town.
"He had some issues in the past, psychological issues. He snapped. Something was off this day. The police had to do their job. They are not at fault. They showed up to do what they were supposed to do. The person was acting irrational and out of control. He had to stop himself and he chose not to," said the homeowner.
The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office and the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation will continue their investigation into this incident.