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Milwaukee Officer Fatally Shoots Man After Clinging to Moving Tow Truck

An outside police department now leads the investigation into the south side shooting.

Overview

  • Police say the March 12 encounter began as a parole-violation check near the 1900 block of South 12th Street around 10 a.m.
  • Chief Jeffrey Norman said the driver refused orders, drove for several blocks with the officer holding onto the driver’s-side window, and was shot after repeated commands to stop.
  • The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner reported the 35-year-old driver died at Froedtert Hospital; the officer sustained minor injuries.
  • Family members identified the deceased as Jonathan (Johnathan) Otto, and Department of Corrections records show he had been on parole since 2023 with prior fleeing convictions.
  • A bystander’s dash-cam captured the officer clinging to the truck, the passenger was evaluated and uninjured, and the 46-year-old officer with 21 years of service was placed on administrative duty as West Allis Police lead the probe.