The Chippewa County District Attorney’s Office has determined that the actions of law enforcement officers on December 21, 2024, in the area of County Highway K and 50th Avenue, Town of Lafayette, Chippewa County, Wisconsin, were reasonable acts of self-defense and defense of others.
Law Regarding Self-Defense and Defense of Others
Wisconsin law allows all persons, including law enforcement officers, to use deadly force in an act of self-defense or defense of others. The law requires all of the following:
• The officer believed that there was an actual or imminent unlawful interference with the officer’s person or another person;
• The officer believed that the amount of force the officer used was necessary to prevent or terminate the interference; and
• The officer’s beliefs were reasonable.
⮚ In the case of defense of others, the law also requires that the officer believed that the other person was entitled to use force in self-defense.
⮚ An officer may intentionally use force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if the officer reasonably believed that the force used was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to him/herself, or another person.
Synopsis
The Chippewa County’s District Attorney’s Office received and reviewed the investigation and reports of the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). The following is a summary statement of facts based upon that investigation:
At approximately 11:31 pm, on December 21, 2024, Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a domestic disturbance incident in the Town of Lafayette. One of the subjects involved in the disturbance, Matthew Luke, had already left the scene of the disturbance prior to law enforcement arriving. Evidence at the scene of the domestic disturbance indicated that Mr. Luke fired multiple 9mm rounds at that location. Deputies later located Mr. Luke’s vehicle and attempted to stop the vehicle as part of the domestic dispute investigation. Mr. Luke fled law enforcement, and later crashed his vehicle near the intersection of County Highway K and 50th Avenue in the Town of Lafayette. Deputies approached the vehicle and attempted to arrest Mr. Luke; however, upon noting that Mr. Luke had a gun, deputies retreated from Mr. Luke’s vehicle. Deputies noted that Mr. Luke fired a weapon multiple times at law enforcement, striking at least one squad car. The Eau Claire Regional SWAT Team was called in to assist. Upon arrival, the SWAT Team (some inside and some outside of an armored vehicle) attempted to get Mr. Luke to surrender. Mr. Luke fired multiple gun shots at the SWAT Team’s armored vehicle. At that point, a law enforcement officer shot three times at Mr. Luke’s vehicle, utilizing target specific directed fire. Mr. Luke then fired more gun shots in the direction of law enforcement. At that point a law enforcement officer in the armored vehicle took action based upon concerns for the safety of officers outside of the armored vehicle, and the fact that they were in a residential area, and fired two slow and deliberate shots to stop the continued threat posed by Mr. Luke. Law enforcement attempted life saving measures; however, Mr. Luke was pronounced deceased.
Intentions of Matthew Luke
One cannot look into a person’s mind to find intent. However, the person’s acts, words, and statements, if any, and all of the facts and circumstances in the situation can be used to determine his intent. A review of investigation materials indicate that:
• Mr. Luke was involved in a domestic disturbance, which involved him firing a gun multiple times. • Mr. Luke fled officers when they attempted to make contact with him.
• Mr. Luke stayed in the vehicle after crashing it, arming himself with a firearm. • Mr. Luke did not comply with law enforcement’s multiple attempts to get him to surrender. • Mr. Luke discharged a firearm multiple times at law enforcement.
Conclusion
The Chippewa County District Attorney’s Office has determined that the actions of law enforcement were reasonable given the totality of the circumstances, and are legally justified acts of self-defense and defense of others. No further action will be taken by the District Attorney’s Office regarding this matter.
