FOREST COUNTY — A suspect wanted on felony charges out of Texas was fatally shot after threatening a Forest County Sheriff’s deputy with a shotgun, police said Thursday.
According to a news release issued by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the Division of Criminal Investigation responded to a “critical incident” this morning in Forest County at the request of Sheriff John Dennee.
The release reads:
“A Forest County Sheriff’s deputy ran a record check on a disabled vehicle he encountered while on patrol. The record check revealed the vehicle’s driver was wanted for felony warrants in the State of Texas. The suspect driver pointed a shotgun at the deputy when the deputy attempted to make contact with the driver. The deputy fired his weapon at the driver in response.
Deputies who responded to the scene rendered first-aid to the suspect but the suspect succumbed to injuries.
The involved deputy has been placed on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of this investigation, per the sheriff’s department policy.
The Wisconsin DOJ-led investigation of this incident has been a collaboration between DCI, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Forest County Medical Examiner. The Forest County Sheriff’s Office has been fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.
DCI is continuing to collect evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Forest County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.”
No additional details are available at this time. Names, along with the age and gender of the suspect, have not been released.
The incident marks the second officer involved shooting in less than three months in Forest County. On Oct. 22, Officer Ryan Wilson of the Crandon Police Department fatally shot Dexter Baxter during a theft investigation and related traffic stop. Investigators later determined Wilson acted appropriately when the shooting took place.
This story will be updated.
