A traffic stop in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, on February 2, 2024, around 9:40 p.m., turned into an exchange of gunfire between police officers and the Wisconsin man, identified as Lawrence M. Drennan, following threats against police officers, a chase, and disobedience to police orders during the stop, as documented in the bodycam video footage.

Officials confirmed the subsequent investigation uncovered no firearm on the suspect. An autopsy later determined the suspect’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.198% at the time of the encounter, which is nearly twice the legal driving limit.

In addition, an investigation was made into the conduct of the police sergeant from the North Fond du Lac Police Department, Bryce LaLuzerne, who made the fatal shots. According to their findings, as seen in the video, the authorities did not prosecute the officer criminally as they ruled that his use of force was justified under those circumstances.

Drenan became involved in the events after one of the officers tried to pull over a car whose taillights had been found inoperative. At first, he was cooperative, but soon became uncontrollable.

As can be seen from the video, Drenan informed the officer that he was suffering from homelessness and depression. He is seen saying, “It’s been a really bad couple of weeks, buddy. I was homeless. I had a gun held to my head. I was threatened to be killed. I almost froze to death when it was 30 degrees below 0. All I want to do was go around the corner and go home, man.”

Moments later, the situation escalated when he drove away from the stop, prompting a pursuit.

During the chase, Drenan called 911 and warned dispatchers that he possessed a firearm and intended to shoot officers if they attempted to stop him.

“I am in a high-speed chase right now. Um, not even a high-speed chase. I’m just not stopping. I’m only going 65 miles an hour. But, um, if they stop me, let the cops know. If they stop me, I got a gun here. I’m going to start shooting,” Drenan said in the recording played in the video.

The video shows officers continuing to track the car while coordinating tactical responses. Officers discussed deploying spike strips and other measures to bring the chase to a controlled conclusion as Drenan continued driving through the county.

The chase eventually ended on a frontage road, where Drenan exited the vehicle and confronted the officers. Body camera and Dashcam footage included in the video show officers repeatedly ordering him to comply.

By the time the back and forth reached its final moments, officers believed Drenan posed an immediate threat. Video shows him refusing commands and appearing to reach forward despite repeated warnings. Officers then opened fire. Emergency aid was rendered at the scene, but Drenan was later pronounced dead.

At the time, LaLuzerne is seen saying in the video, “He told me he was going to shoot me. I don’t see his hands one or I don’t know if I shot once or twice, but I I know they’re fast.” He was later seen breaking down, saying, “F**k, I tried to talk to him, dude. I tried to talk to him for so long.”

Winnebago County District Attorney Eric D Sparr opined on the incident, saying:

“Drennan’s desire to get officers to shoot him was clear. Officers attempted to defuse the situation verbally, but Drennan gave no indication that he would be distracted from his goal.”

— Winnebago County District Attorney Eric D. Sparr, Jsonline

“The single issue I address in this opinion is whether the shooting of Lawrence Drennan was an unjustified, criminal act. It clearly was not.”

— Winnebago County District Attorney Eric D. Sparr, Nbc26