Suspect critically injured in officer-involved shooting at Waukesha Meijer

Updated: 10:02 a.m. on July 31, 2026

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Meijer says they reopened their Sunset Drive store Friday morning, releasing the following statement:

"We appreciate the quick response from local law enforcement to yesterday’s unfortunate situation at our E. Sunset Drive store. We have reopened this morning so that we can continue serving the community."

Updated: 10:01 p.m. on July 30, 2026

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) — A suspect remains in critical condition after a Waukesha police officer shot him inside a Meijer store Thursday evening.

During a news conference, Waukesha police said officers were called to the store around 6 p.m. for a report of a man armed with a knife. Police established phone contact with the suspect before directing responding officers to his location inside the store.

When officers arrived, police said they found the suspect holding a knife near a 59-year-old man.

Officers gave the suspect multiple commands to drop the knife. According to police, one officer fired his weapon because of the suspect's actions and the immediate threat he posed to the victim and responding officers.

Ryan Klenz and his wife were inside the store at the time of the incident.

"We heard a lot of running around, a lot of people yelling," Klenz said. "And then we moved in between aisles, between the frozen and the grocery area, and saw cops running with their riot shields and their AR-15s."

Klenz said officers then ran through the middle of the store toward the back of the building.

"That's when we heard, I want to say, about five shots," Klenz said. "And then there was a lot of commotion, more cops coming in. We directed them where to go, and then my wife and I started exiting to check out, comforting people who were upset."

Police said officers immediately began providing emergency medical care to the suspect. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he remained in critical condition Thursday night.

The 59-year-old victim was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries before being taken to a hospital.

Police recovered a knife believed to have been used during the incident.

The officer who fired his weapon was identified as a 26-year-old man with five years of law enforcement experience. He has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with department policy.

Police said the shooting was captured on officers' body cameras, but the footage is not being released at this time to protect the integrity of the investigation.

The Milwaukee Area Investigative Team will conduct an independent investigation, with the Greenfield Police Department serving as the lead agency. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be forwarded to the Waukesha County District Attorney's Office for review.

Waukesha police said their preliminary review indicates the officer acted within state law, department policy and training.

Police also said officers have had prior contact with the suspect.

Waukesha police confirm officer-involved shooting at Meijer

UPDATED: 07/30/2026 8:59PM

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) — Waukesha police have confirmed that a large law enforcement response outside the Meijer store Thursday night is connected to an officer-involved shooting.

The Waukesha Police Department is expected to provide additional details during a news conference at 9:30 p.m.

CBS 58 will be at the news conference and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Large police presence reported outside Waukesha Meijer

POSTED: 07/30/2026 08:02 PM

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) — A large police presence gathered outside the Meijer store in Waukesha on Thursday night.

CBS 58's Adam Rife was at the scene, where dozens of law enforcement officers were observed. The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office was among the agencies responding.

A source who was inside the store during the incident told CBS 58 they were in the produce section when another customer said someone had a knife. The source then reported hearing two or three apparent gunshots.

CBS 58 has not independently confirmed whether a shooting occurred or what prompted the law enforcement response.

This is a developing story. CBS 58 News will provide updates as more information becomes available.