Roberto Zielinski Was Fatally Shot By A 47-year-old Milwaukee Police Officer For Discharging And Failing To Drop The Weapon

Police responded to a man discharging a firearm at a residence in the Southside of Milwaukee and the suspect is fatally shot by an officer.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

June 1, 2021

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Sunday, Roberto Zielinski, 49, aka, "Touch" originally of Newark, New Jersey was fatally shot by a 47-year-old Milwaukee police officer after failing to drop a handgun as ordered by police, according to the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) press release.

The MPD reported on Monday that police responded to a call of a man discharging a firearm at a residence located at the 2700 block of S. 29th Street in Milwaukee's Southside. When officers arrived at the scene, they saw Zielinski armed with a weapon in the front porch of the residence. Then Zielinski went to rear porch and discharged the weapon several times. Police officers repeatedly ordered Zielinski to drop the weapon, but he failed to do so and a police officer then fired his service weapon and fatally shot Zielinski at the scene.

The 47-year-old police officer with 6 years of service was placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation. The Waukesha Police Department is conducting the investigation.

Zielinski who was fatally shot by a police officer was later identified by the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office.

Update WI: On Friday, July 16, 2021, the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) released the police body camera video regarding the fatal officer involved shooting that resulted in the death of Roberto Zielinski, 49, on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at the 2700 of S. 29th Street. 

The video angle of the body camera video footage released doesn't actually show Zielinski getting struck by the fatal shot, but a shot fired by the officer is heard. 

Zielinski, aka, "Touch" originally of Newark, New Jersey was fatally shot by a 47-year-old Milwaukee police officer after failing to drop a handgun as ordered by police, according to police. 

Police say that Zielinski was suicidal, according to 911 calls. Police at the scene also alleged that Zielinski wanted to shoot at them, according to video footage audio by unidentified officers. 

The officers in the video shown seemed to be behind vehicles and other protective barriers when the officer fired the fatal shot. 

MPD video of Zielinski's shooting by officer involved: https://youtu.be/fR8VN0dRtM0.com