The family of 26-year-old Elijah Wilks expressed on Thursday that they think the actions of the off-duty Milwaukee cop who shot him were justified, following a traffic disagreement last week. They cited a video that captures Wilks hitting the officer with a gun and aiming it at him before the officer discharged his weapon.
According to the police, the 41-year-old off-duty officer, who has 21 years of experience with the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD), was part of a minor vehicle incident near 8:30 a.m. on Thursday at West Mill Road in the city’s northwest sector.
The officer’s dashcam video revealed a construction zone where drivers were required to merge. The footage shows Wilks changing into the left lane and cutting off the officer’s path.
B’Ivory Lamarr, the family’s legal representative, disclosed at a Monday press conference that the men exchanged words, and the officer’s vehicle subsequently collided with Wilks’ car. They both then pulled over, exited their vehicles, and continued their verbal confrontation, although the conversation was inaudible in the footage.
Milwaukee police released footage of an off-duty officer-involved shooting that happened on Oct. 9. (Milwaukee Police Department)
The video displays Wilks gesturing towards the officer’s car, seemingly blaming him for causing damage. Lamarr stated that Wilks then brandished a gun and struck the off-duty officer with it, as captured in the video.
“The video that I and his mother reviewed today shows that he did indeed hit the off-duty officer with a firearm,” Lamarr said. “It illustrates Elijah pointing the gun at the off-duty officer. In response, the off-duty officer, we believe, acted in line with his training by firing several shots.”
The video then shows Wilks reappearing on the other side of his vehicle as the officer fired additional shots, striking him multiple times. Wilks died at the scene.
Milwaukee police released footage of an off-duty officer-involved shooting that happened on Oct. 9. (Milwaukee Police Department)
Family members and Lamarr expressed concern that the officer did not administer first aid after the shooting, though they said they believe the officer’s actions were justified.
“I want to now take this moment to address what we did see,” Lamarr said at a news conference. “And again, this is something that oftentimes, I don’t think I’ve ever come before and did a press conference like this, but we will acknowledge that we do believe that this officer-involved shooting was justified.”
He added that while the shooting was “unfortunate and tragic,” the family “stands before you today acknowledging the officer’s actions.”
Milwaukee police released footage of an off-duty officer-involved shooting that happened on Oct. 9. (Milwaukee Police Department)
The family and their attorney reviewed the footage the day after the shooting and said Monday they believe their loved one made a tragic mistake.
“He was a good person … everybody loved my brother,” said his sister, Elayjah Wilks.
His aunt, Andrea Ward, said the incident could have happened to anyone, adding, “We are all one seat away from making the wrong decision.”
Another aunt, Latrice Bell, said, “He made a decision that he should not have made, and that is just something we have to live with. I don’t believe Elijah knew that he was a police officer, but whether it was or wasn’t — the encounter should have been different.”
Under MPD policy, next of kin must be allowed to view video within 48 hours of a deadly incident, and relevant footage must be released publicly within 15 days.
In this case, the department released the video well ahead of that deadline.
Lamarr said the family’s decision to acknowledge the officer’s actions was not easy but reflected their desire for accountability, transparency, and healing in a city still grappling with the toll of violence.
The MPD did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
