Beloit police officer cleared in fatal shooting of stabbing suspect

BELOIT, Wis. (WIFR) – The Beloit police officer who shot a South Beloit man has been cleared of any wrongdoing, the Rock County District Attorney announced July 2.

Officer Cole Gille was found to have acted lawfully during the May 16 incident and his use of force was legal and appropriate. The district attorney also said Gregory Tracy, 54, of South Beloit, was shot and died as a direct result of his own actions.

On May 16, 2024, Beloit police officers responded to reports of a stabbing in the 2000 block of Fredrick Street. When they arrived, investigators said they found Tracy intoxicated and holding two knives. They also said they learned that Tracy had stabbed his girlfriend 40 times in the torso and arms, requiring her to be airlifted to a Madison hospital.

According to investigators, officers spoke to Tracy through a screen door and asked him to drop the knives, but he refused. Police asked if anyone else was in the house, and Tracy allegedly responded that his two grandchildren were there.

As Tracy appeared to be walking away from the officers, police used a non-lethal 40mm round in an attempt to knock him unconscious and arrest him. Before they could get inside, Tracy was able to get back up and allegedly waved a knife over his head at the officers. The officers asked if anyone knew where the children were, and police say Tracy responded, “I got one here,” and quickly walked away from the officers. That’s when Officer Gille fired three rounds, all hitting Tracy. Tracy died at the scene.

The house was searched and no children were found. The prosecutor said that, based on videos and photos taken at the scene, as well as witness statements, Officer Gille acted to protect the lives of the children he believed were in danger.

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