The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently investigating an officer involved critical incident (OICI) that took place in the Town of Crescent, Wis. on the evening of Saturday, January 20, 2024.
According to reports, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office received two hang-up 911 calls on Saturday night, prompting a welfare check at a residence on River Street in the Town of Crescent. In response, three Oneida County Sheriff's deputies and two Rhinelander police officers were dispatched to the scene.
Upon their arrival, law enforcement discovered that there were two individuals inside the residence. As they entered the premises, they were met with gunfire from one of the subjects. In an act of self-defense, one of the deputies returned fire. Following the exchange of gunfire, all law enforcement personnel retreated from the residence and established a perimeter.
Despite their retreat, the subject continued to fire at the officers from the second level of the house. In response, a tactical team comprising members from the Vilas, Oneida, Marathon, Langlade, and Lincoln County Sheriff's Offices was called to the scene. Verbal commands were attempted but received no response, leading to the deployment of non-lethal tactics.
Eventually, the second subject emerged from the residence and was evaluated by emergency medical services at the scene. Meanwhile, the tactical team entered the house and located the other subject, who was found deceased.
Fortunately, no law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident. As per department policy, the officers involved from the Rhinelander Police Department and the deputies from the Oneida County Sheriff's Office have been placed on administrative duty.
It is important to note that the officers from the Rhinelander Police Department were wearing body cameras during the incident. Both the Rhinelander Police Department and the Oneida County Sheriff's Office have squad cameras, which will likely provide valuable evidence for the ongoing investigation.
Leading the investigation is the DOJ's DCI, with the assistance of DCI Crime Response Specialists and members of DCI's Digital Evidence Unit. All the parties involved in law enforcement are fully cooperating with the DCI throughout the investigation process.
DCI is currently reviewing all the evidence and working to establish the facts surrounding this incident. Once the investigation concludes, investigative reports will be turned over to the Oneida County District Attorney.
For any media inquiries, please direct them to the Wisconsin DOJ.