Bad River Band 'deeply saddened and troubled' by fatal shooting of boy by police officer

Thursday, November 9, 2017  

The Bad River Band is offering support services to the community following the fatal shooting of a young boy by a police officer in Ashland County, Wisconsin.

The teen was shot by a sheriff's deputy on Wednesday morning. According to WKOW, he was 14 years old, though other news organizations had conflicting reports on his age.

"The tribal council is deeply saddened and troubled by today’s event, and they offer their condolences to the family at this time," a statement issued on Wednesday read. "This is an extremely hard day for everyone, in times like this the community must come together, and help each other heal."

According to the sheriff's department, someone called 911 to report a person carrying a knife. Deputies responded to the scene around and shots were fired by one deputy at around 11:48am on Wednesday.

"The suspect was pronounced deceased at the hospital," the sheriff's department said, without specifying why the boy was considered a "suspect."

The shooting occurred on Maple Street in Odanah, where the tribe maintains administrative offices. According to The Ashland Daily Press, the boy was shot near the Bad River Casino. The Bad River Health and Wellness Center is also nearby.

The incident is being investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the sheriff's department said.

The tribal council's full statement follows:

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.

Read More on the Story:
14-year-old dead in officer-involved shooting on Bad River Reservation (WKOW November 8, 2017)
Officer-involved shooting leaves one dead in Odanah (The Ashland Daily Press November 8, 2017)
Deadly Officer-Involved shooting in Ashland County (WSAW November 8, 2017)

Bad River Band declares 'emergency' to address substance abuse on reservation (November 8, 2017)