The Wisconsin police officer responsible for the shooting death of 19-year-old Tony Robinson has been identified as Officer Matt Kenny.
On May 12, two months after the shooting, the Dane County District Attorney announced Kenny will not face charges. Read about that decision here.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He’s Killed at Least One Other Suspect
RIP #TonyRobinson shot by MPD a sad night in Madison #ShutItDown #BlackLivesMatter http://t.co/kIrMUP5jOi
In July of 2007, Kenny, 45, shot and killed Ronald Brandon, 48, after he pointed what turned out to be a pellet gun at officers.
At the time, Dane County District Attorney Brian Blanchard said the gun looked genuine, and Kenny was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing:
“We cannot know precisely what Mr. Brandon was thinking, but his pointing a very realistic-looking facsimile firearm at police effectively compelled officers to resort to deadly force.”
2. Robinson Was Unarmed
Powerful images of protesters on the streets of downtown Madison #TonyRobinson #MadisonShooting @BadgerHerald http://t.co/EgSAfUZWrD
According to police, Kenny responded to a report of a battery and followed Robinson to his home. Police said Kenny and Robinson struggled and, at some point during the struggle, Kenny drew his weapon and fired, killing Robinson.
Madison Police Chief Mike Koval said once the officer went inside the apartment, the victim “assaulted my officer and in the context of mutual combat, the officer did draw his revolver and subsequently shot the subject.” The chief said Kenny was struck in the head. He was taken to the hospital, but wasn’t seriously injured.
Koval said that an investigation was ongoing, but that it appeared Robinson was not armed:
“Initial findings at the scene did not reflect a gun or anything like that at the scene”
3. The Wisconsin Attorney General Said Kenny Was ‘Experiencing Great Trauma’
Chief Koval names Matt Kenny as the officer involved in Willy St. fatal shooting
#WKOW
http://t.co/cZJjThR9eq http://t.co/vufUK5oDri
In a statement issued Friday after the shooting, Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said that both Robinson’s family and Kenny were in is “thoughts and prayers:”
“As a parent, I can only imagine the heartbreak they must be feeling right now in the wake of this tragedy. Likewise, I am concerned for the officer involved in this incident, who I imagine is experiencing great trauma, as well. They are all in my thoughts and prayers.”
Schimel said the Department of Criminal Investigation would carry out a “thorough, professional and transparent investigation.”
4. He Brought a Cake to One of Wisconsin’s First Gay Same-Sex Marriages
The cops brought the cake #marriagequality #justdoit .@NicholsUprising http://t.co/sa7OnxpubZ
Last year, Kenny gained a bit of notoriety when he and two other officers delivered a cake for one of the state’s first same-sex marriages.
A Wisconsin District Court had halted a ban same-sex marriages, and happy couples got married in droves. Kenny was one of three officers who carried sheet cakes to the courthouse, and when a photo was snapped of the scene, it went viral.
5. He’s a Mounted Officer
Officer Matt Kenny (www.cityofmadison.com)
According to his profile on the Madison Police Department website, KennY has been with the department since 2002, prior to which he was an active service officer in the U.S. Coast Guard for nine years:
“I have worked in the East District Community Policing Team, the Special Events Team, and the Special Weapons and Tactics Team. I have loved animals since I was a kid and I am enjoying the challenge of training and partnering with a police horse.”
