WAUKESHA, Wis. — Authorities have released additional details following a police shooting involving a suspect who allegedly held multiple people hostage at knifepoint inside the Meijer store on Sunset Drive in Waukesha.
A large law enforcement response remains at the scene, with officers from the Waukesha Police Department, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the City of Waukesha’s mobile command center deployed to the area. The condition of the suspect has not yet been disclosed.
According to witnesses, the incident unfolded inside the store, prompting a swift tactical response by law enforcement.
A woman whose boyfriend was shopping inside the Meijer at the time told WISN 12 News that he encountered a man with a painted white face who was reportedly armed.
“He was shopping in the cheese section when a guy with a white-painted face came toward him with a gun in his hand,” she said. “They made eye contact, and that’s the exact moment SWAT officers came in and took him down.”
She added that her boyfriend did not hear any gunshots during the encounter.
Another shopper, Susan Phipps, told WISN 12 News she heard what she believed were three gunshots while preparing to check out.
“I was actually getting ready to check out, and I heard three pops. I knew right away they sounded a lot like gunshots,” Phipps said. “I wasn’t quite sure what I should do.”
Phipps also recalled hearing a disturbance toward the rear of the store moments before the apparent gunfire.
Following the incident, numerous shoppers were seen evacuating the building. Aerial footage from News Chopper 12 showed some individuals later being permitted to re-enter the store as officers continued their investigation.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the suspect or confirmed the sequence of events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are expected to provide additional information as it becomes available.
