Officer Ruled Justified in Jason Pero’s Shooting Death

Medical Examiner's Office Says Pero Had Fentanyl in System at Time of Shooting

BAD RIVER RESERVATION, Wis.-The St. Croix District Attorney has ruled that the Ashland sheriff’s deputy Brock Mrdjenovich was justified when he shot and killed Bad River Reservation resident Jason Pero, 14, in November.

According to the attorney’s report, the juvenile allegedly contacted the police department from his home phone and said their was an individual armed walking with a knife on the street in front of his home, which fit Pero’s description.

Shortly after, the officer arrived and found Pero walking with the knife. According to the district attorney’s report, Pero came after the officer with the knife and refused to drop the weapon.

The Ashland County deputy then fired two shots into Pero killing him.

After an examination by the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office, Pero was also found to have fentanyl in his system. He had no known prescription for it and it was not used by medical personnel when they worked on him after the shooting.

The knife recovered from the scene matches the description of the knives in Pero’s home.

The juvenile also appeared to have a number of cuts on his forearms that appeared to be self-inflicted.

The district attorney said there is no video evidence of the incident and no independent witnesses.

A statement has also been released by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Department which reads: 

“We sincerely urge everyone to closely review the files and reports of the investigation conducted by the Department of Justice. The reports may be reviewed on the Wisconsin Department of Justice website. We are also examining the released reports at this time.

The sheriff’s office is also deeply aware of the ways in which this incident has impacted the Bad River community and its relationship with law enforcement. We are dedicated to rebuilding and restoring trust and a working relationship with the community at all levels through continued community policing, officer education and training, and proactive involvement with all citizens of Ashland County.

Deputy Mrdjenovich will remain employed with the sheriff’s office. He will continue working assigned to limited administrative duties until all internal reviews have been completed.”