Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis has ruled that the use of deadly force by a local police officer was lawful and justified. The determination follows a thorough investigation into an incident that occurred in May, involving a suspect named Andres Casas. The decision was communicated in a letter dated November 2, which identifies the officer as Michael O'Neil.
The incident began on the night of May 4 when Kenosha police responded to a domestic violence call. Officers located Casas, who is 35 years old, at a residence near the intersection of 50th Street and 14th Avenue. Although the suspect had initially fled the original scene, he was found shortly after in this second location.
According to the investigation, Casas locked himself inside the home when officers arrived to take him into custody. Solis noted that the suspect fired three to four shots almost immediately after police forced their way into the residence. Officers reported seeing smoke and a gun barrel pointed directly at them during this initial exchange.
A standoff ensued that lasted for nearly eight hours. During this period, additional gunshots were reported coming from inside the house. No officers were struck by gunfire during the extended confrontation. Eventually, Casas emerged from a window of the home. Investigators stated that he was holding a gun in his hand at the time he left the residence.
Body-worn camera footage captured the final moments of the encounter. Officers attempted to subdue Casas using less-lethal options, including bean bags and a Taser. Officer O'Neil ordered the suspect to drop the gun, but Casas refused. O'Neil then fired a single shot, wounding Casas. A firearm was subsequently recovered from the yard where the arrest took place.
Following the shooting, Casas was transported to a hospital for treatment. Officer O'Neil was placed on administrative leave while the investigation proceeded. The Racine County Sheriff's Office led the use-of-force inquiry, providing the findings to the District Attorney's office for a final legal determination.
Casas faces significant criminal charges as a result of the incident. The Kenosha County District Attorney's Office charged him with seven felonies, including five counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, along with one misdemeanor. Court records indicate that Casas pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The legal proceedings are ongoing. Casas was bound over for trial in August, and he is scheduled to return to court in January. The ruling by Solis provides a formal legal validation of the officer's actions, closing the initial investigative phase of the case.
Information for this report was gathered from the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office, the Racine County Sheriff's Office, and the Kenosha Police Department. Local news crews were present at the scene during the May incident to document the standoff and the subsequent shooting.
