Waukesha police shooting bodycam, 2 officers hurt, female shooter dead

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Waukesha police released body camera video showing a police shooting that happened Dec. 14, 2022 at a home on Oakdale Drive. Katie Powers, 40, was fatally shot, and two officers were hurt after responding to reports of someone drilling into the foundation of a duplex.

Waukesha County District Attorney Sue Opper ruled the use of force was justified in this case.

Officers were called to the duplex to assist the landlord after neighbors reported that Powers, who had a known history of mental illness, was drilling into the foundation and causing damage. Powers told the landlord her neighbors in the duplex were killing people, and she was trying to save them.

According to a letter from Opper announcing that the use of force was justified, police stood by while the landlord tried to make contact with Powers, who refused to answer the door. The landlord attempted to make entry "due to the ongoing destruction of property" and found the door barricaded by the stove. The landlord, two other employees of the property and the police went in.

As the lead agency in the investigation, Greenfield police said the Waukesha officers knew about Powers' history of mental illness before arriving. They found insulation and drywall removed from the wall, as if Powers was trying to get access to the other unit.

Waukesha police shooting bodycam, Oakdale Drive

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The property was found in "disarray" with "unsafe living conditions for Powers and her 12-year-old son," who were in the basement. Powers refused to come up, and officers concluded it was necessary to go down to check her welfare.

The letter says police found Powers' son holding an object that was similar to an ice pick and ordered him to drop it, which he did. He then went upstairs. Powers refused to come out from behind the furnace/water heater and go upstairs. According to the letter, she moved toward the ice pick, and officers ordered her to show her hands. Police said since Powers was behind the furnace, it was hard to see what she had in her hand. As an officer was checking her for weapons, investigators say she reached into her waistband, grabbed a pistol and shot him. The officer returned fire, hitting Powers.

An investigation revealed the bullet fired by Powers struck the officer's body camera. He suffered minor injuries.

Waukesha Police Captain Dan Baumann said the officer's ballistic vest likely saved him.

"If that officer was not wearing his ballistic vest, the round would have most likely struck him in his upper chest," said Baumann. 

Powers died at the scene. 

Investigators said both involved officers were taken to the hospital, but the second was not injured.

Waukesha police said Wednesday, June 6, that both officers are now doing well and are back to work.