Wisconsin Officer Shoots Suspect After Hanging From Moving Truck

Body camera footage shows officer clinging to truck before deadly shooting

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:23pm

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An extreme close-up of shattered car window glass reflecting a faint red light, conceptually representing the aftermath of a violent police encounter.Body camera footage reveals the tense moments leading up to a deadly police shooting in Milwaukee, raising questions about use of force policies.Today in Milwaukee

Police in Milwaukee, Wisconsin have released body camera footage showing a 21-year veteran officer hanging from the side of a moving truck before fatally shooting the 35-year-old suspect, who was wanted on assault and strangulation charges. The officer clung to the driver's side window as the truck traveled several blocks, giving multiple commands for the suspect to stop before ultimately discharging his firearm.

Why it matters

This incident raises questions about police use of force protocols, particularly when officers are in dangerous, high-risk situations involving moving vehicles. The release of the body camera footage aims to provide transparency around the events leading up to the deadly shooting.

The details

According to Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, officers were attempting to arrest 35-year-old Jonathan Otto, who was wanted on allegations of assault and strangulation. As Otto refused to stop the truck, the 46-year-old officer clung to the side of the vehicle, giving multiple commands for Otto to comply before ultimately shooting and killing him.

  • The incident occurred around 10 a.m. on March 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
  • Milwaukee police released the body camera footage on March 31, 2026.

The players

Jonathan Otto

A 35-year-old Milwaukee resident who was wanted on allegations of assault and strangulation.

Jeffrey Norman

The Milwaukee Police Chief who provided details about the incident and the release of the body camera footage.

The 46-year-old officer

A 21-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department who was placed on administrative leave following the shooting.

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What they’re saying

“'The suspect continued to refuse these commands multiple times. At this time, the officer discharged his firearm, subsequently striking the suspect and finally stopping the truck.'”

— Jeffrey Norman, Milwaukee Police Chief

What’s next

The Milwaukee Police Department and local authorities will continue to investigate the incident, and the 46-year-old officer involved will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the complex and dangerous situations officers can face, where split-second decisions about use of force can have life-or-death consequences. The release of the body camera footage aims to provide transparency, but also raises broader questions about police training, tactics, and accountability when it comes to high-risk encounters.