Jonathon Tubby, 26
Green Bay, Wisconsin
October 19, 2018
Agencies: Green Bay Police Department Wisconsin
Cause of death: Shooting
Last updated: almost 4 years ago
Overview 
On October 19, 2018, Green Bay Police Deparment Officer Erik O'Brien shot and killed Jonathon Tubby in the police sallyport at the Brown County Jail. Initial reports from the Green Bay PD stated that Tubby was running towards the officer, prompting the shooting. Tubby's family asserts that, at the time, Tubby was unarmed, handcuffed and lying on the ground facedown with a police dog nearby.
Tubby and an aunt were originally arrested for outstanding warrants and possible marijuana possession. When the car arrived at the Brown County Jail, Tubby refused to get out, holding his hand under his shirt as if he had a gun and was prepared to shoot himself. Officers converged on the vehicle, leading to a stand-off for more than half an hour. Then, officers broke throgh the back window and pepper sprayed the two detainees. Tubby climbed out through the broken window, and was immediately shot by officers with bean bag guns. One officer also sent a police dog at Tubby.
O'Brien is the only officer that used a firearm; all other officers that saw the actual shooting said Tubby was on his feet at the time. None of the squad dash cameras showed the actual shooting, and the security cameras in the sally port do not archive video.
Legal Action
District Attorney David Lasee rulesd that O'Brien's actions were legal and justified. The estate later filed suit against O'Brien, other officers, and Brown County. In addition to civil suits, the estate demanded that the count install video recording equipment in the sally port, develop and adopt policy prohibiting lethal force against anyone restrained and provide better training for officers.
Community and Family Efforts
A joint memorial for Tubby was held on October 26, 2019 between his family and friends, the chairman of the Oneida Nation, and Wisconsin activists.
In November 2018, community groups Black Lives United Green Bay and Native Lives Matter hosted a 200 person vigil in honor of Tubby.
Additional Resources:
- http://www.fightbacknews.org/2018/11/7/green-bay-wi-rally-protests-killing-indigenous-man added June 11, 2020 04:46
- https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2019/02/01/jonathon-tubby-shooting-green-bay-officer-wont-charged-criminally-da-david-lasee-officer-erik-obrien/2723315002/ added May 30, 2020 22:39
- https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2019/03/07/green-bay-police-shooting-suit-claims-tubby-face-down-when-he-shot/3093025002/ added May 30, 2020 22:39
- http://www.fightbacknews.org/2019/10/28/green-bay-wi-justice-needed-jonathon-tubby-native-american-man-murdered-police added May 30, 2020 22:39