Wisconsin teen shot by cop ‘tired of being picked on’ at school

WAUKESHA, Wis. — A Wisconsin teenager who was shot by a police officer after he allegedly pointed a pellet gun at another student’s head says he was “tired of being picked on,” according to criminal charges filed Monday.

Tyrone Smith, 18, was charged as an adult with several charges, including second-degree recklessly endangering safety, obstructing an officer, disorderly conduct and dangerous weapons on school premises.

Smith was 17 when authorities say he pointed the pellet gun at another student’s head at Waukesha South High School last week. A school resource officer helped clear students out of the classroom. A Waukesha police officer entered the room and shot Smith. Police say Smith pointed the gun at officers.

According to the complaint, Waukesha Police Officer Brady Esser, an 11-year veteran, told Smith to remove his hands slowly from his sweatshirt pocket with nothing in his hands, but Smith removed his hands quickly and had a gun in his hands, according to the complaint.

“Sgt. Esser stated he feared for his life and was forced to shoot,” the complaint said.

According to the complaint, Smith denied bringing guns to school before that day and told investigators he was “tired of being picked on by other students.” Smith said he wanted to scare students who had picked on him — or might pick on him in the future — and that “other kids would hear about this and be scared,” the complaint said.