Milwaukee police officers shot and killed an armed man Tuesday evening following a vehicle pursuit and foot chase that ended with the suspect refusing repeated commands to drop his weapon, authorities said.

According to the Milwaukee Police Department, the incident began around 4:49 p.m. on Feb. 3, 2026, when officers attempted a traffic stop near Fond du Lac Avenue and West Locust Street for a registration violation, according to FOX6.

In a news release, police said the driver initially stopped but then fled, leading officers on a reckless vehicle pursuit. During the chase, a passenger exited the vehicle and ran from the scene.

“The vehicle pursuit ended when the suspect exited his vehicle on the 9800 block of West Lisbon Avenue and fled on foot,” MPD said. “During the foot pursuit, the officers observed the suspect with a gun. Officers gave the suspect several commands to drop the gun. The suspect refused to drop the gun, at which time officers discharged their firearms subsequently striking the suspect. The suspect’s firearm was recovered.”

Police said the suspect, a 38-year-old man, was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Authorities are still searching for the passenger who fled earlier in the pursuit.

Under Wisconsin law, officers may use deadly force if they reasonably believe they or others face an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm. (RELATED: Steil Unveils “MEGA Act,” a Sweeping Federal Push for Voter ID, Paper Ballots, and Tighter Election Rules)

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman confirmed the details during a news conference Tuesday night, saying he had reviewed body camera footage from the incident.

He described the pursuit as “lengthy” and emphasized that officers believed the suspect remained armed throughout the encounter.

“We do know the suspect was in possession of a firearm,” Norman said. “We do know the suspect still had the firearm as the individual was being pursued by the officers.”

Norman said the two officers involved in the shooting are ages 46 and 40 and have several years of law enforcement experience. Both have been placed on standard administrative duty, in line with department policy following an officer-involved shooting.

The investigation into the incident is being led by the Brookfield Police Department, which is standard practice in Milwaukee when deadly force is used by city officers.

Norman also clarified that the driver of the vehicle was the individual who was shot and later died.

“The driver is the individual who was shot and died later,” he said. (RELATED: Milwaukee Begins Towing Reckless Drivers Under Expanded State Law)

Authorities have not released the suspect’s name, and no additional details about the passenger have been made public. The investigation remains ongoing.