Officer justified in shooting that killed Beloit stabbing suspect in standoff: DA

BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) — The Rock County District Attorney has concluded that Beloit Police Officer Cole Gille was justified in shooting and killing Gregory Tracy, 54, during a standoff in May during which Tracy stabbed his girlfriend and threatened to kill others.

According to District Attorney David O’Leary, the Beloit Police Department responded to reports of a stabbing in the 2000 block of Frederick Street just before 3:30 p.m. on May 16th, 2024.

Officers arriving at the scene found Tracy standing behind a screen door of the home, holding two large knives and covered in blood. While Tracy was speaking with police, the victim escaped through a bedroom window. Authorities said she suffered approximately 40 stab wounds to her torso and arms and suffered internal bleeding and a collapsed lung.

Tracy told police that he had two grandchildren inside the house with him, the investigation revealed. As he retreated inside the home, police fired a less-lethal round at him but it did not have the desired effect of stunning him so officers could make entry.

When officers asked where the children were, Tracy allegedly replied “I’ve got one right here” and moved quickly away from the door, at which point Officer Gille fired three shots, killing him.

No children were ultimately found at the scene.

“After reviewing the reports, the body camera and squad videos and photographs of the incident, and the witness statements, the District Attorney has concluded that Officer Gille acted lawfully and in accordance with his duty as a sworn law enforcement officer,” O’Leary wrote in his decision. “Officer Gille acted in order to protect the lives of the children he believed to be in danger from Tracy, based on Tracy’s statements and actions. It is the conclusion of the Rock County District Attorney that Tracy was shot and died as a direct result of his own actions.”

“Officer Gille acted in accordance with his training and the policies established by our department,” said Andre Sayles, Chief of Police. “The investigation conducted was thorough and comprehensive, and I have full confidence in its findings. The decision reflects the commitment to ensuring that justice is served based on evidence and facts, not assumptions or external pressures.

“The safety and security of our community remain our highest priority,” said Police Chief Andre Sayles. “Officer Gille’s actions were in response to a situation where his life, and the lives of others, were in imminent danger. He made a split-second decision in a highly volatile situation, a decision no officer wants to make but is trained to when faced with such circumstances.”

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