No criminal charges will be filed against a Crandon police officer who fatally shot a man in October, the Forest County District Attorney said Tuesday.
DA Chuck Simono said the officer's use of deadly force was justified as he acted in self-defense.
On October 22, Officer Ryan Wilson fatally shot Dexter Baxter, 30, during a traffic stop. Baxter had physically struggled and fought with the officer in attempt to resist arrest before Wilson shot him, Simono said.
The incident started with Officer Wilson investigating a stolen TV. He was given a description of the vehicle in the case, and later pulled over that vehicle. Baxter was inside in the passenger seat, dash cam video showed.
Officer Wilson ordered Baxter to get out of the car and not resist arrest. Baxter said, "I'm not," but then proceeded to jump out of the vehicle and immediately grabbed Officer Wilson's head and neck, dash cam video showed.
Authorities said Baxter put his fingers in the officers eyes and choked him to the point of almost passing out.
Baxter died at the hospital. Toxicology reports showed he had cocaine, marijuana and meth in his system, as well as a BAC of .108.
