Man hiding in Dumpster dies after encounter with police

A man suspected of committing an armed robbery died early Saturday in West Allis after police found him hiding in a Dumpster and fired their weapons, authorities said.

The man had earlier shot at police, according to a news release from the West Allis and New Berlin police departments. 

According to the release:

The incident began around 1:10 a.m. when two people committed an armed robbery at a West Allis business in the 7200 block of W. Greenfield Ave. 

Initial reports indicated the suspects were in a white vehicle. Around 1:15 a.m., a West Allis police officer spotted the vehicle near S. 62nd and W. Burnham streets, about a mile southeast of where the robbery occurred. The passenger got out of the car, opened fire and ran away.

The driver sped off.

West Allis and New Berlin police officers eventually located the passenger hiding in a Dumpster. Officers fired their guns "during an encounter." 

After that, the man was "declared deceased at the scene."

No officers were injured.

The release offered no additional details.

The Milwaukee County medical examiner's office will not be able to confirm the cause or manner of death until after an autopsy is completed in the coming days, officials said.

Several questions remained unanswered in the immediate aftermath of the incident: How much time elapsed between the suspect opening fire and the police doing so? Was the man still armed while he was inside the Dumpster? Did he threaten the officers at that time? If he didn't, did his earlier gunfire or other circumstances give officers the legal authority to shoot?

Police did not confirm which establishment was robbed. Only one business on that block, a George Webb restaurant, is open past midnight. Employees there referred questions to the company's management, which didn't immediately return a call seeking comment.

Police have not released any information about the dead man. They also have not said whether they apprehended the driver.

Authorities from several agencies remained in the area for several hours, including West Allis and Milwaukee police. Roads were closed for a couple of blocks in all directions from the point of the shooting.

The investigation is ongoing. As required by state law, the officer-involved shooting will be investigated by an outside agency: the Milwaukee County Investigative Team. The Oak Creek Police Department is in charge of the probe.