Beloit man killed in officer-involved shooting identified, officer named

BELOIT, Wis. (WIFR) – Police are releasing the name of a man killed in an officer-involved shooting in Beloit on April 28, as well as the name of the officer who pulled the trigger.

Michael Ward, 33, of Beloit was shot by Beloit Police Officer Nicholas Rodenbeck near the 1700 block of Ashland Avenue on the morning of April 28, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said Thursday. According to investigators, Ward was seen moving toward another person with two bladed weapons in his hand. According to police, officers told Ward to put down his weapons, but he refused. Ward was shot by Officer Rodenbeck and died at a local hospital. No other injuries were reported.

Officer Rodenbeck has been in law enforcement for three years and is on administrative leave, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said. According to investigators, the law enforcement agencies involved were wearing body cameras at the time.

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