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Kenosha County Eye

Jurors Hear From Deputies Who Were Allegedly Shot At In June, 2021 – Brown Trial Day 2

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K9 Riggs Makes an Appearance In Front of The Jury Today
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

On the first day of testimony in the trial of Allan Brown, jurors heard from all of the Kenosha Deputies that were on scene the day police and prosecutors say a man wanted for a double murder shot at them.

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Kenosha County ADA Alexandra Smathers Demonstrates How Brown Shot Backwards At Police Who were Chasing Him
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha County ADA Alexandra Smathers gave a brief opening statement today. “Thirty-three seconds,” said Smathers. “That’s what this case is about…. We have all of the incident on body camera, that’s the beauty of technology.” She was correct, today, the jury saw the entire encounter play out before them from many angles of body-worn cameras, that were relatively new at the time of the shooting.

Defense Attorney Addison Kuhn
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Defense attorney Addison Kuhn gave an even shorter opening statement. “I ask that you keep an open mind and hold the state to their burden of proof,” he told the jury.

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Sgt. Coultrip Demonstrates How Brown Shot Backwards At Police Who were Chasing Him
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Sgt. Coultrip Identifies The Defendant In Open Court
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Deputy Coultrip was the first officer to respond. He is now a Sergeant. The Sheriff’s Department received two calls, one from Chicago police detectives, and another from On-Star. The Department was told that a grey Buick SUV was mapping to Benson Corner gas station on Highway 50 in bristol. They told deputies that it may be occupied by Allan Brown, a suspect in a double homicide and carjacking in Chicago. Coultrip drove past the suv and saw that it was occupied. The brake lights flashed multiple times while Coultip was parked across the parking lot.

Deputy Avila
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Deputy Avila arrived next and spoke with Deputy Coultrip. They waited for more deputies to arrive. The plan was to initiate a high-risk traffic stop. Deputies described this as a tactic in which they form a “V” with their squad cars and order the suspect out of the vehicle. Deputied Tifft, K9 Riggs, and Weyand arrived on scene next.

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Deputy Weyand
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Deputy Tifft
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Deputy Tifft
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

The jury also watched body camera footage from most of the officers that were present. Here are some still photos from those videos:

Brown Gets Out of His Car
Brown Starts Running
Deputy With Rifle
Deputy Tifft Seconds Before He Releases Riggs
Deputy Tifft Seconds As He Releases Riggs

Riggs Rolling Around With Brown
Brown Laying Face Down After Being Shot By Deputies
Deputies Giving First Aid To Brown
Deputy Tifft Clearing Car Before He takes Riggs To Vet

Tifft then drove to a veterinarian in Paddock Lake. Tifft, unsure if Riggs would survive, was very emotional, both on October 21, 2021, and in the courtroom today. K9 Riggs is also a family member of Tifft and his family. Riggs goes home every day after work with Tifft. The jury heard from very human deputies that came close to being hit by gunfire. One deputy actually believed he was hit in the head. Experts say that this is very normal. Also, oftentimes people don’t notice immediately if they have been hit due to the adrenaline and mental aspects. Deputies check each other and thankfully none were injured. K9 Riggs was sent via a Salem Lakes Ambulance to a veterinary center in Illinois. There is a new law that allows police dogs to hitch a ride on ambulances.

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Defense Attorney McKenna Quinter
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

So far the video evidence makes this case very difficult for the two defense attorneys, who aren’t asking many questions on cross-examination.

Kenosha Circuit Court Judge Anthony Milisauskas
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha Circuit Court Judge Anthony Milisauskas allowed the prosecution to do a “jury view” of K9 Riggs. Deputy Tifft went out to get the dog and brought him into the courtroom for the jury to examine him. Tifft said that there is scarring from the wound, but that it is mostly covered with fur. The bullet hid Riggs in the head and went through the muscle, but never penetrated the skull. Riggs was released after 3 days with medical care instructions.

ADA Alexandra Smathers
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
K9 Riggs
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
K9 Riggs
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
K9 Riggs
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
K9 Riggs
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Sheriff David W. Zoerner was in court today to show his support for his deputies.

Sheriff David W. Zoerner
(Photo by Kevin mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Sheriff David W. Zoerner
(Photo by Kevin mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
State Crime Lab Analyst Katie McCoy
(Photo by Kevin mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

State Crime Lab Analyst Katie McCoy testified about how she slowed down the body camera footage so that it would be easier for the jury to see what happened.

Testimony will continue tomorrow morning.

Author

  • Kevin Mathewson

    Kevin Mathewson is a disciple of Christ, husband and a father to two wonderful children. Mathewson was born and raised in Lake County, IL and worked as a police & fire dispatcher from 2005 to 2010 in Round Lake Beach, IL. Mathewson moved to Kenosha County in 2006, later being elected to the position of Alderman of the 8th District in 2012 and 2016. Mathewson is a private investigator, security contractor, journalist, and photographer. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching movies, camping and boating. His favorite amendment is the second, followed closely by the first. He loves his country and community.

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2 Responses

  1. Bravo K9 Officer Riggs!
    Thank God K9 Riggs survived his gunshot wound.
    All law enforcement agencies need to provide bulletproof vests for K9 Officers, face and body shields for mounted patrol horses.
    Too many LEO’s are forced to purchase protective gear for their K9 Officer’s and mounted patrol units.
    Some agencies do fundraisers and form non-profit organizations to seek money for safety gear.
    I’m astonished to see police horses working crowd control without chest or face shields.
    Special horse shoes are needed for units working on paved surfaces.
    Hay and straw prices have gone up astronomically in most parts of the country.
    Vetting, ferrier and boarding expenses are sky high.
    Please consider donating to K9 and mounted units around the country.
    Congratulations to these police officer’s for surviving another violent encounter.
    Fantastic coverage by Kevin Mathewson!
    No other media organization covers news stories with numerous well shot photographs and videos when available.
    Kenosha County Eye is world class!

    ☆This is my opinion while I’m still allowed to have one…

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