NEW INFORMATION: Police say man killed in officer-involved shooting made 911 call

Police say the man who called 911 to report a man with a gun Saturday is the same person that an officer shot and killed that morning.

In a news release Wednesday afternoon, the Eau Claire Police Department said Matthew Zank, 49, of Eau Claire was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers said Zank called 911 and reported a man with a gun in the parking lot of the Scottish Inn and Suites on W. MacArthur Ave. Police did not know that Zank was the caller at the time of the call or when officers first arrived at the scene. Officer Kris O'Neill was the first Eau Claire police officer at the scene. He found Zank, who had a gun, in the parking lot. The release said several witnesses said that Zank was pointing the gun at O'Neill. Police say O'Neill ordered Zank to drop the weapon several times, and that Zank did not drop it. The news release said O'Neill fired at Zank, but did not say how many times he fired or how many times Zank was hit. Zank, who was renting a room at the hotel, was injured. The release said several officers at the scene tried unsuccessfully to save Zank's life.

Officer O'Neill has been working for the Eau Claire Police Department for 19 years. He's currently on administrative assignment pending a review of the investigation by the Eau Claire Police Department. The La Crosse Police Department is investigating the shooting. The Eau Claire Police Department said the results of the investigation "will include full disclosure and citizen review."

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (EAU CLAIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT NEWS RELEASE) -- On Saturday January 28, 2017 the Eau Claire Police Department was involved in the fatal shooting of a man who was armed with a gun on the south side of Eau Claire.

Per Wisconsin State Statutes and Eau Claire Police Department policy, investigations of this nature are investigated by an outside law enforcement agency. The La Crosse Police Department is conducting this investigation. This investigation remains ongoing.

The subject, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, has been identified as Matthew C. Zank DOB 3/21/1967 from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

The officer involved in the shooting is Officer Kris O'Neill. Officer O'Neill is a 19 year veteran of the Eau Claire Police Department.

The initial investigation has determined Officer O'Neill responded to the area of the Scottish Inn and Suites at 1135 W. MacArthur Ave. after dispatch received a 911 call reporting there was a man with a gun in the parking lot. The initial caller reported the man was pointing a gun at passing vehicles and people in the immediate area. Officer O'Neill was the first Eau Claire Police Officer who arrived on scene.

Officer O'Neill located Zank in the parking lot. Zank had a gun in his possession. Several witnesses stated Zank was pointing the gun at Officer O'Neill. Officer O'Neill ordered Zank to drop the weapon numerous times. Zank failed to comply and Officer O'Neill discharged his service weapon. After Zank was injured several other officers who arrived began performing life-saving actions. These efforts were unsuccessful and Zank was pronounced deceased at the

scene.

The investigation has determined Zank was the original 911 caller reporting the man with the gun. This was unknown at the time of the call, and when officers first arrived on scene. Zank was renting a room at the Scottish Inns and Suites.

Per state statute and department policy, an internal administrative review of this incident must be conducted. This review is already underway. Officer O'Neill is on administrative assignment pending a complete review of the investigation. The results of the investigation will include full disclosure and citizen review.

Numerous agencies assisted the Eau Claire Police Department during this incident. These agencies include the La Crosse Police Department, the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office, the Eau Claire Fire Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol.

Jerry Staniszewski

Chief of Police

Eau Claire Police Department