Bipolar Suspect Wielding Two Swords With Deadly Shot, Officer Eliminated [VIDEOS]

A Beloit police officer, Nicholas Rodenbeck, has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the shooting death of a suspect who was brandishing swords and challenging officers to shoot him. The decision was made by Rock County District Attorney David O'Leary after reviewing evidence from a Wisconsin Department of Justice investigation, which included body camera footage, dashcam footage and interviews of witnesses

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The incident took place on April 28 on Ashland Avenue, where 33-year-old Michael Ward was shot and killed after leaving a residence with 2- to 3-foot-long swords in each hand .

Ward, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had a history of threatening suicide, came out of the residence with the swords and repeatedly challenged officers to shoot him. The situation escalated to the point that Ward posed a threat to a reporting individual, prompting Officer Rodenbeck to open fire, striking Ward in the chest.

Subsequent investigations found evidence of significant property damage inside the residence, including broken mirrors, windows, pictures, cabinets and televisions. That incident marked one of three fatal encounters involving law enforcement in Beloit this year.

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