Wis. Deputy Fatally Shoots Man In Traffic Stop Confrontation

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A sheriff's department in western Wisconsin says a deputy fatally shot a man Sunday morning after he allegedly threatened the officer with an "electronic type device."

The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office says the shooting happened shortly after 6:45 a.m. on Clairemont Avenue in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Officials say the deputy stopped a car with Minnesota license plates for a traffic violation and found the driver had two federal warrants out for his arrest.

When the deputy attempted to take the driver into custody, the driver became confrontational and armed himself with an unspecified device. Officials say the deputy tried to step back from the driver, but the driver approached the deputy in a threatening manner.

The deputy then shot the driver, officials say, and called for backup. Emergency crews brought the driver to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The names of the deputy and the driver have yet to be released.

Per state law, the Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating the shooting.