Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph A. Mensah Won't Face Charges For Jay Anderson Jr.'s Homicide

The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office decided not to charge Wauwatosa Police Officer Mensah for the June homicide of Jay Anderson Jr. at Madison Park.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

December 7, 2016

Wauwatosa, WI - The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office announced that Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph A. Mensah will not be charged with the June 23, 2016 homicide of Jay Anderson Jr. Officer Mensah shot Anderson multiple times while he was inside a vehicle.

The investigative agency of the shooting, the Milwaukee Police Department determined that Wauwatosa Police Officer Mensah had reasonable justification in killing Anderson when he lowered his arms. Mensah told investigators that he feared for his life after noticing a handgun next Anderson in the front seat in his vehicle.

The Anderson's family attorney confirmed that police have not released any photos of the gun in the front seat. A dash camera video from Officer Mensah's squad shows when he fired multiple shots at Anderson when he lowered his arm.

Anderson had been sleeping in his vehicle at the Madison Park when Officer Mensah approached and woke him up. According to the police report, Mensah called for backup, but failed to back off from Anderson's vehicle to wait for other officers.

The Anderson family has requested a federal investigation into Jay's homicide. Wauwatosa Police Officer Mensah was not wearing a body camera at the time when killed Anderson and no witnesses to shooting were present.

Officer Mensah was involved in a previous shooting death as well. On July 16, 2015, Officer Mensah fatally shot Antonio Gonzales, 29, after he approached Officer Mensah and his partner wielding a sword. The Milwaukee District Attorney's Office didn't charged Mensah for Gonzales homicide.

The Milwaukee County Examiner's Office classified such officer related fatal shootings as homicides. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office later determines, whether the homicides involving police officers were justified.