No criminal charges will be filed against an eastern Wisconsin sheriff’s deputy who shot and killed a knife wielding suspect. District Attorney Andrew Naze said Tuesday that deputy Jamie Tlachac was protecting another sheriff’s officer when he shot 22-year-old Tyler Whitmire on August 21st.
“I believe Deputy’s Tlachac’s actions were justified in this case, and I will not be filing criminal charges in this matter” Naze said.
After reviewing the evidence after the state Justice Department investigated the shooting, the D-A said Whitmire was charging at deputy Jordan Salentine, and when Salentine tried stepping back, Tlachac shot him, and Whitmire later died on a roadway.
“With the deadly weapons raised and the close proximity, Mr. Whitmire posed an immediate and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm to deputy Salentine” Naze said.
The incident happened the night of August 21st, when a dispatcher was told that Whitmire struck a woman with a hammer.
Naze said that the family of Tyler Whitmire understands the circumstance, but would still like their privacy during this tough time.
“Mr. Whitmire’s death is tragic and my condolences go out to the family.”
A total of four officers who were on administrative leave can now return to work.