Law enforcement agencies are gathered in an area near Green Ridge and Open Gate Trail in Green Bay, February 23, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A police officer was justified in shooting at a gunman in February, the Brown County district attorney has ruled.
The gunman, Steve Evaristo Ventura, 40, died by suicide after an exchange of gunfire with Green Bay Police Officer Dan Skenandore Feb. 23, District Attorney David Lasee said Wednesday.
According to Lasee, police were called to Green Bay’s west side just before 1 p.m. The caller said Ventura got out of his vehicle and pointed a gun at him. Ventura then got back into his vehicle, and the caller followed him on W. Mason Street. The caller flagged down a police officer — Skenandore — and let the officer follow Ventura.
Skendandore followed Ventura to Green Ridge Drive, where Ventura stopped. Skenandore said Ventura pulled out a gun and pointed it at the officer. Video released by investigators shows Skenandore shooting through the windows of his squad vehicle at Ventura.
Skenandore continued to the intersection with Open Gate Trail, got out of his vehicle and continued shooting at Ventura. Ventura then went to what turned out to be his girlfriend’s home. As officers approached, then discovered Ventura on the ground. His girlfriend then said he had shot himself in the head.
In a later interview, the girlfriend said Ventura arrived at her home just before the shooting. She told him to leave and he made a comment to the effect of “this is it.” He then acted strangely before leaving. She speculated he “was on something.”
In his report, Lasee wrote:
Deadly force should no doubt be used only in those very limited instances when it is legally justified, however, the circumstances of this particular case permitted the use of deadly force. While the death of Mr. Ventura is tragic, that death was caused by Ventura himself, and not by Officer Skenandore. Further, the force that was used by Officer Skenandore was legally justified and, therefore, does not result in any criminal wrongdoing on the part of the officer involved.
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