APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Appleton residents are gathering for a community meeting, following a shooting on Friday night when police officers shot and killed a man.
After battling mental health issues himself, District 12 Alderperson Nate Wolff is looking for ways to help those he represents.
“To talk about the mental health crisis in our community,” Wolff said, “and how we as a community can address that together.”
Friday night’s incident started with Appleton police officers responding to a domestic disturbance call, finding a man with a handgun.
After failed negotiations, officers fired their weapons, hitting the man.
He died after arriving to the hospital.
“Have you heard from anyone or do you know if that man had mental health issues himself?” FOX 11 asked.
“I’ve only seen things on Facebook, but I’m not really sure where they’re coming from,” Wolff added. “I don’t know for sure.”
Wolff says part of the reason behind the meeting is to make sure community members are responding well after the incident.
He also stressed mental health resources are available to those who need them.
Appleton residents agree that Monday’s meeting is a step in the right direction, but a woman who lives one mile away from Friday’s scene says more needs to be done.
Jennifer Vanderlinden wants to see acts of violence end.
“We were sitting in the backyard,” Vanderlinden said. “We thought it was fireworks.”
With just over two dozen people showing up to this short notice meeting, she’s happy these conversations are happening.
“One of the things that Nate mentioned was he didn’t know where to go for help,” added Vanderlinden, “and I think school guidance counselors are an excellent way to get things started for the younger generation that way. I would hope people would have an idea of where to go because I think there are readily available resources.”
It’s her hope that strangers in the community can soon become neighbors.
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