Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), at the request of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, has been investigating an officer involved death (OID) that took place on November 8, 2017 after an Ashland County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a 911 call reporting a male subject walking around Maple Street carrying a knife. A knife was recovered at the scene of the incident.

Family of the juvenile-decedent and victim witnesses have been provided victim witness services by the DOJ Office of Crime Victim Services and are in communication with DOJ.

DOJ is also in communication with the Bad River Tribe to keep community members informed as the investigation progresses.

DCI is continuing to collect evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Ashland County District Attorney’s Office when the investigation concludes. DCI aims to turn over all OID investigative reports to a prosecutor within 30 days of the incident.

The Wisconsin DOJ-led investigation of this incident has been a collaboration between DCI, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office has been fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.

Information about the juvenile-decedent’s identity will not be released by DOJ, due to the decedent’s age. No additional details are available at this time.

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Boy Dead After Officer-Involved Shooting in Ashland County

Wednesday, November 8, 2017 | DrydenWire

A boy is dead following an officer-involved shooting in Ashland County earlier today, November 8, 2017.

Ashland County Sheriff's Office Press Release

On November 8, 2017, at approximately 11:40 a.m., the Ashland County Communications Center received a 911 call from an Odanah resident reporting a male subject walking around Maple Street carrying a knife.

Ashland County deputies responded to the scene. At approximately 11:48 a.m., shots were fired by a responding deputy and the suspect was struck by gunfire. The deputy involved is uninjured. The suspect was treated by Bad River First Responders and Ashland EMS at the scene and was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Ashland by Ashland EMS. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Per protocol, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DOJ) was contacted and is conducting an independent investigation of the incident. In addition to DOJ and the Ashland County Sheriff’s Department, the Ashland Police Department assisted with the response.

The identity of the suspect is not being released at this time pending notification of family members. It is believed this is was an isolated incident and no other suspects are at large.

The matter is being investigated by DOJ with the coordination and support of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office. Information will be made available following further investigation.

The age of the boy is not known to DrydenWire.com at this time, but KBJR6.com is reporting that he was 14.

The Bad River Band has also issued a statement on their Facebook page.

Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Statement

On November 8, 2017 a young boy was shot and killed on East Maple Street in Odanah, WI, by a deputy with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office. This is an on-going investigation and the community will be given pertinent information as it becomes available to them. The name of the deceased is being held at this time, pending notification from the family.

The Tribal Council is deeply saddened and troubled by today’s event, and they offer their condolences to the family at this time. This is an extremely hard day for everyone, in times like this the community must come together, and help each other heal. The Tribal Council would like the Bad River community to know that they are keeping abreast of the events and will release the information as it becomes available to them.

The Bad River staff and community members will be available at the schools tomorrow, November 9, to support the students. Support for the community members is available at the clinic and community center starting tonight at 5 p.m.