Brown Deer officer charged in shooting

Manuel Burnley Jr., a 26 year old Milwaukee resident, was shot in the back by Devon Kraemer. Kraemer, a 27 year old former officer with the Brown Deer department, had Burnley face down on the ground when he fired on him.

This is an extremely rare situation in Wisconsin. In the past 50 years, only two officers have been charged for fatal shootings in Milwaukee County. This was revealed in a legislative review in 2014. Only one of the officers charged in fatal shootings was on duty.

Kraemer claims she shot Burnley "because she feared for her safety and that of her partner." This is a difficult sell, Kraemer had Burnley face down on the ground. How could Kraemer's life be in danger when the suspect was detained?

Prosecutor Emanuel Kapelsohn stated that Kraemer may have been afraid but that her fear was unreasonable.

"It was Kapelsohn's professional opinion that Kraemer's use of deadly force was not consistent with generally accepted standards for use of force in Wisconsin or nationwide," the complaint says.

As The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported:

According to the complaint:

The incident began when the bus driver flagged down the officers in the 8600 block of N. 60th St. because Burnley was arguing with her. Kraemer boarded the bus and told Burnley to get off, but he refused, using vulgar language and displaying a belligerent attitude. He did not threaten anyone on the bus or suggest he had a weapon.

Kraemer and her partner, Michael Leeman, removed Burnley from the bus. As they took him to the ground, they also fell. The two officers rolled Burnley onto his stomach; he struggled as they tried to handcuff him.

"Kraemer stated that she was unable to gain control of Burnley's left arm, and she drew her firearm, and pressed it against Burnley's back," the complaint says. "She then drew it back a short distance, to avoid a malfunction, and fired once, striking Burnley in the back, then immediately re-holstered her firearm."

After he was shot, Burnley asked what happened and heard Leeman respond by saying, "We just shot you" and using a racial slur, according to a document Burnley's attorney filed as a precursor to a lawsuit. Burnley is African-American; the two officers are white.

Burnley was hospitalized for 12 days and lost part of a lung as a result of the shooting. The bullet remains in his body and he is unable to work, according to his attorney, Jonathan Safran.

"Mr. Burnley is lucky to be alive and not paralyzed from being shot," Safran said Friday.

What is your opinion on this case? Could Kraemer truly have "feared for her life?" Will Kraemer receive an adequate sentence?

Leave your thoughts below.

(Article by Jaimes Campbell)