09/24/2026
Cream City Lodge #8 stands in support of the Milwaukee police officer involved in the September 8 critical incident and believes the public discussion surrounding this case must be based on evidence rather than inflammatory characterizations.
The body-worn camera footage released by the Milwaukee Police Department provides important context. It shows an armed suspect fleeing from police, repeatedly disregarding commands to get on the ground, and ultimately becoming involved in a close-range physical confrontation with the pursuing officer. Police have reported that a fi***rm was in the suspect’s hand, another fi***rm was in his waistband, and that gunfire was exchanged during the encounter.
A life was lost, and that should never be treated lightly. At the same time, neither should accusations that a police officer committed an “execution” or a “cold killing.”
Police officers are often forced to make decisions in seconds under circumstances most people will never experience. An armed individual, a foot pursuit, repeated failure to comply, a physical struggle at extremely close range, and the presence of a fi***rm create precisely the type of rapidly evolving and dangerous encounter in which an officer may be confronted with an immediate threat to life.
The independent investigation should be allowed to follow the evidence wherever it leads. The officer is entitled to the same fairness, due process, and presumption against premature judgment that we expect for anyone involved in a serious investigation.
Cream City Lodge #8 supports transparency, a complete and impartial investigation, and the men and women of law enforcement who place themselves in dangerous situations to protect our communities.
We encourage members of the public to watch the released body-worn camera footage and consider the evidence for themselves before accepting anyone’s characterization of what occurred.
It does not get much clearer than this.
Now that the Milwaukee Police Department has just released the body-worn camera video from the Officer-Involved shooting on Sept 8, 2026, the public can see what I saw.
The video shows Printis Smith fleeing with a handgun, disregarding repeated commands to get on the ground and struggling with an officer at point-blank range. The image below shows the gun in Smith’s hand and his finger on the trigger while the officer continues giving commands. As the video continues, you will see Smith pull the trigger.
The family’s attorney, B’Ivory LaMarr, publicly called this an “execution” even though he had not personally viewed the video.
The evidence now belongs to the public. It shows a Milwaukee police officer fighting for his life. This officer pursued an armed man, repeatedly gave him the opportunity to surrender and confronted an immediate deadly threat to protect the surrounding community. He demonstrated extraordinary courage, and we came frighteningly close to mourning another Milwaukee police officer.
Mr. LaMarr can now watch the same video as everyone else. We will wait to see whether he corrects the public record.
Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/wlCxdWmI3Cc?is=cBi5xHbIqa7bPTjV
Alexander Ayala
President, Milwaukee Police Association
