Jay Anderson, 25
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 23, 2016
Agencies: Milwaukee Police Department Wisconsin | Wauwatosa Police Department Wisconsin
Cause of death: Shooting
Last updated: almost 2 years ago
Overview 
25 year-old Jay Anderson was killed by Milwaukee police in late June 2016, after the officer reportedly saw Anderson had a gun in his possession. According to police, the officer feared for his safety during the course of the incident.
The Milwaukee Police Department is investigating the incident.
Police tape blocked off the parking lot at Madison Park for hours after the killing as investigators tried to collect all the evidence they could.
Police have confirmed they found a gun in the car where Anderson was shot.
According to his friend B.J. Hassel, Anderson was a concealed carry license holder, however, last May he was convicted of misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon without a license.
Legal Action
On July 22, 2016, the Wauwatosa Police Department declined to release their video footage recorded from the officer's squad video camera, citing the Anderson family's wishes and an investigation by the Milwaukee County D.A.
According to the Anderson family, the Wauwatosa police officer who shot and killed Jay Anderson Jr. will not face state criminal charges, but federal prosecutors have agreed to review the case. The family made the announcement at a news conference several hours after they met with Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm.
On Thursday, June 18, the family of Jay Anderson filed a formal complaint against Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah.
On Wednesday, July 15, 2020, Wauwatosa's police and fire commission unanimously voted to suspend Mensah with pay. The commission also approved hiring a third-party investigator relating to a complaint filed against Joseph Mensah by the attorneys for the family of Jay Anderson Jr.
In June 2022, nearly six years after Jay Anderson Jr. was fatally shot, two special prosecutors announced they would not charge former Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah with the shooting.
Community and Family Efforts
June 2016 Vigil
Additional Resources:
- https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/west/news/wauwatosa/2022/06/01/joseph-mensah-not-face-charges-2016-jay-anderson-jr-shooting-wauwatosa/9895202002/ added June 06, 2022 13:04
- https://www.cbs58.com/news/family-files-complaint-against-wauwatosa-police-officer-involved-in-three-deadly-shootings added June 20, 2020 08:26
- http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2016/12/05/updates-expected-monday-police-shooting-jay-anderson-jr/94996130/ added December 07, 2016 15:27
- http://patch.com/wisconsin/wauwatosa/jay-anderson-case-now-milwaukee-d-s-hands-video-footage-will-not-be-released added July 23, 2016 17:22
- http://fox6now.com/2016/06/24/loved-ones-of-man-fatally-shot-by-wauwatosa-officer-want-answers-my-son-shouldnt-be-dead/ added June 27, 2016 14:43
- http://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/friends-family-gather-where-man-was-shot-in-tosa added June 27, 2016 14:39
- https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1061721300560062&id=956901834375343 added June 25, 2016 01:39
- http://www.cbs58.com/story/32288998/update-man-dies-after-officer-involved-shooting-in-tosa-park added June 25, 2016 01:39