Self-proclaimed Grafton Gangster killed by deputies was out on bail in Milwaukee County

Listen to this article

Self-proclaimed gangster Christopher Sewell, a convicted felon with outstanding arrest warrants, was fatally shot by Ozaukee County deputies in November 2023. He was previously released on bail by both Milwaukee and Kenosha counties, according to documents obtained in January 2024 by the Wisconsin Law Journal, which also noted Sewell was in possession of a firearm at the time of the incident, in violation of the terms of his probation.

Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol issued a statement January 6, 2024 noting there will be no criminal charges for the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Deputy who fatally shot Sewell in November of 2023.

“There is no basis to consider or issue criminal charges against any of the law enforcement officers involved in this incident … A law enforcement officer may use deadly force where he has probably cause to believe that an armed suspect poses a threat of serious physical harm, either to the officer or others,” Gerol said.

“While I regret that any incident results in the loss of life, Mr. Sewell’s death was occasioned by his own behavior. It didn’t have to end this way. Simply put, Christopher Sewell forced Deputy … into a situation where there was nothing else he could do but protect his own life and fulfill his oath to protect the public,” Gerol added.

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 175.47, in the event of the death of an individual caused by an action or inaction of a law enforcement officer, the ensuing investigation must be conducted by an investigative team from an independent agency. The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation.

According to Gerol’s report, the circumstances preceding Sewell’s death began with an incident two days prior.

Sheriff’s deputies had been dispatched to a multi-unit apartment complex in the town of Grafton. Upon arrival, a deputy interviewed residents who stated there was loud music coming from another apartment below them.

The resident told the deputy he banged his foot on the ground several times hoping the downstairs neighbor would turn down the volume of the music.

Shortly thereafter, the upstairs neighbor heard a knock at the door and recognized the visitor as the resident from the downstairs apartment.

The downstairs resident entered the upstairs apartment without consent, armed with a firearm and said, “I will smoke you in your own crib.”

The neighboring residents described the suspect as a black male with dreads, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.

Ring video footage from a neighbor obtained by law enforcement showed a male subject walking away from the same apartment matching the description. However, his face was not visible due to him wearing a hoodie.

The suspect yelled “F*ck these people. I’m a G. Anyone can get it here.” The deputy noted that “G” stood for gangster.

Shortly thereafter, law enforcement learned another individual had an injunction order against Sewell. Sewell matched the description of the suspect in the video.

On Oct. 30, 2023, law enforcement successfully conducted a photo array identification procedure, which also concluded Sewell was the male subject who entered the apartment and brandished a firearm.

Ozaukee County Sheriff’s deputies learned Sewell was previously released on bail in Milwaukee and Kenosha counties after being charged with felonies. Sewell also had multiple arrest warrants out of Milwaukee and Kenosha counties.

Gerol’s report also noted that as a condition of Sewell’s probation, as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Two days later

As previously reported by the Wisconsin Law Journal, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, at about 11 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2023, Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to pull over and arrest an individual for outstanding felony warrants. The subject fled in their vehicle, leading to a vehicle pursuit where law enforcement deployed a tire deflation device and the subject’s vehicle came to a stop near the 900 block of Lakefield Road in Grafton.

Authorities say the subject then fled on foot to a nearby tree line and was pursued by law enforcement. Officials say the subject had a visible weapon. An Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office deputy discharged their firearm, striking the subject. Lifesaving measures were performed but the subject ultimately died from their injuries on the scene. A firearm was recovered at the scene.

No law enforcement officers were injured during this incident, officials said.

Involved deputies were wearing body cameras during the incident, officials noted.

The deputy from the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office who discharged the weapon had been placed on administrative assignment, per agency policy.

DCI led the investigation and was assisted by the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, Wisconsin State Patrol, DCI’s Digital Evidence Unit, and a DCI Crime Response Specialist. All involved law enforcement are fully cooperated with DCI during this investigation, authorities noted.

DCI reviewed evidence and determined the facts of this incident and turned over investigative reports to the Ozaukee County District Attorney who issued the Jan. 6, 2024, decision.