The Department of Justice has released new information on a police shooting.
The man killed has been identified as 26 year-old Jonathon C. Tubby of Green Bay. The DOJ says his autopsy has been completed.
The DOJ has also identified the two officers involved: Green Bay Police Officers Erik O’Brien and Colton Wernecke. The DOJ says O’Brien has been with the department for six years and Wernecke has three months with the department. The DOJ says Officer O’Brien was the only officer to discharge his duty weapon during the extended confrontation.
The DOJ has described the confrontation at the Brown County Jail as "very long" and investigators still have more than two dozen interviews with witnesses and officers to get through. Investigators are still gathering evidence in the case and will turn their final reports over to the Brown County District Attorney when the investigation is finished.
On Friday, Barbara Webster, a Tubby family spokesperson released this statement:
"The family of Jonathon Tubby have laid him to rest today, at this time they continue to mourn their beloved Jonathon and they ask the greater community to respect their time of mourning. Through the night there have been stories and recollections of Jonathon and what a compassionate caring young man he was. Jonathon loved to dance, sing, and make people laugh. He was compassionate and took care of everybody he loved the best he could. He was very athletic and enjoyed football and lacrosse. Jonathon was fun loving and free spirited, never passed judgement and had friends from all walks of life. If you… were good to him, he was good to you.
The family also hopes the community will continue to offer prayers and words of encouragement and support and continue to respect their wishes for privacy.
As more information comes forward regarding the investigation of the death of Jonathon Tubby, from the Department of Justice and Criminal Investigation, we continue to encourage positive thoughts for those who are doing their job and we pray for justice.
The family also hopes the community will continue to respect their wishes and refrain from any speculation, and do not further any unsubstantiated rumors. This is a very difficult time for the family and they are trying to focus on the good memories and positive healing thoughts. We ask for compassion and understanding for everyone involved.
Full statement from DOJ:
GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), at the request of the Green Bay Police Department, has been investigating an officer involved death (OID) that took place on the evening of October 19, 2018 in the City of Green Bay.
Following a traffic stop by Green Bay police, each of the two passengers in the suspect-vehicle were found to be wanted on felony arrest warrants. The suspects were arrested and taken to the Brown County Jail. While inside the sally port at the jail, a confrontation occurred and one Green Bay police officer fired his duty weapon and struck the man. Officers immediately began lifesaving measures on the man, but the subject was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two involved officers were placed on paid administrative leave: Green Bay Police Officers Erik O’Brien, six years with the department, and Colton Wernecke, three months with the department. Officer O’Brien was the only officer to discharge his duty weapon during the extended confrontation.
The autopsy of the deceased man, 26 year-old Jonathon C. Tubby of Green Bay, has been completed. DOJ Office of Crime Victim Services (OCVS) is providing support to the decedent’s family.
Due to the very long confrontation with Mr. Tubby in the sally port of the jail, many additional Green Bay area law enforcement responded and were on scene when the incident occurred. More than two dozen in-depth interviews of witness- and involved- officers must be completed. Significant amounts of audio and video from the incident continues to be reviewed and analyzed.
As investigative tasks are completed, DOJ will provide updates to the public and media.
Green Bay Police Department and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office has been fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.
DCI is continuing to collect evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Brown County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.
No additional details are available at this time.
