SUPERIOR, Wis. (FOX 9) - A shootout in Superior, Wisconsin, led to a police officer and a suspect both being struck by gunfire before the suspect crashed a vehicle into a school.
Officer, suspect shot in Superior, Wisconsin
Police response:
Police say they responded to a possible domestic dispute at about 2:44 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Officers then stopped a vehicle near the intersection of Tower Avenue and North 37th Street in Superior that they believe was connected to the dispute.
Law enforcement officials say the driver then stepped out of the vehicle and fired a semi-automatic rifle at police, striking one of the officers and a squad car. The officer who was hit and another officer shot back, striking the suspect.
The suspect then drove away before crashing into a school. Police then arrested the suspect shortly after 7 a.m. at the school.
Superior mayor applauds officers who returned fire
What they're saying:
Speaking during a news conference on Sunday, Superior Mayor Jim Paine commended the actions of the officers who confronted the suspect. During the news conference, he made a point to highlight the actions of the female officer who returned fire after being shot.
"There's at least a small danger that one vital fact will be lost, and that is the extreme bravery and absolutely uncommon valor demonstrated by one of Superior's police officers today," said the mayor. "It was actually two police officers that engaged this suspect, but we had an officer that was shot and then continued to engage the suspect. The community is safe today because of the heroic actions of those officers. An officer took a bullet for the people of Superior today. I'm extremely proud of the work of this department, especially the responding officers, and I'm very grateful for the many agencies that responded with our officers without hesitation that came to Superior to help us out. Again, this community is safe. Because officers were willing to take a bullet for the people of Superior. I will always be grateful for that. I look forward to being able to recognize and thank those officers in person and in public."
Superior Police Chief Paul Winterscheidt added: "I can tell you I watched the [bodycam] video, and I was absolutely taken aback by that officer's bravery, their composure, and the way they responded to really sustained and accurate gunfire on their squad car while they were sitting in it. I can't think of a more terrifying thing. They did their job, they responded, and they dealt with the situation."
Shooting aftermath:
The suspect was treated at a hospital before being booked into jail. The officer was also treated and released from the hospital.
No other injuries were reported. The Wisconsin Department of Justice will now investigate the shooting and submit its findings to the Douglas County Attorney, who will review the use of force by officers. Police anticipate the suspect will be charged with attempted homicide for their role in the shooting.
What we don't know:
Further information on the suspect has not yet been released. Police say they believe he was a Superior resident. Guns were recovered from his vehicle after the shooting, including the rifle used to fire at the officer.
The Source: This story uses information shared by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and a news conference from the City of Superior.