In response to letters from community members, the United States Department of Justice has agreed to review the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Madison resident Paul Heenan, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
Madison police officer Stephen Heimsness shot Heenan on Nov. 9 during a physical altercation that arose when Heenan’s neighbors reported a burglary after he drunkenly entered their house by mistake, according to a police report.
U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil told the State Journal Thursday that the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department in Washington D.C. will look into the Madison Police Department’s internal investigation to determine whether or not Heimsness’ actions were justified by federal law.
The Madison Police Department found Heimsness innocent in January after conducting an internal investigation in which they decided Heimsness acted in accordance with the lethal force law, which prompted an outcry from the community.
Vaudreuil said the review will take several weeks to complete, according to the State Journal.
