Updated: 6:08 a.m. on June 15, 2026:

TOWN OF ELBA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Dodge County sheriff's deputy is recovering after being shot at a dog park in the Town of Elba Sunday night. Officials say the shooter is dead. 

It started as a disturbance that escalated into a tactical situation, according to authorities.

The deputy who was shot at River Run Dog Park was released from the UW Hospital in Madison Monday morning. 

Sheriff Dale Schmidt tells us he was there as the deputy, who they're not naming at this time, walked out of the ER on his own. We learned he was shot multiple times, with the worst injury to his thigh. The rest of the bullets struck the area around his bulletproof vest, which protected him. 

"It was incredibly nerve-wracking walking up to the ambulance and opening up the ambulance door," Sheriff Schmidt said. "It was a huge relief when I opened up that door and he was looking at me and he was talking to me."

Deputies and Columbus Police Department officers responded to the dog park around 7 p.m. Sunday, June 14, after reports of an intoxicated man making threats towards others. 

Sheriff Schmidt says when deputies arrived, they tried talking with the man, who fired a gun, striking a Dodge County deputy. The man then hid in his car, which turned it into a tactical situation. 

The Columbia County sheriff's emergency response team was called in to help, and nearby Dodge County residents were sent alerts to shelter in place. Ultimately, Schmidt says the man shot and killed himself inside his car. 

CBS 58

A neighbor near the dog park tells us he heard two loud bangs around 9:30 p.m., and minutes later, the shelter in place was lifted.

"It's a very calm area, and it is surprising that it happened," neighbor Bob Barger said. "It's unfortunate, but I think that it was all handled very well."

Authorities tell us the shooter was a 50-year-old from Cottage Grove. They're not naming him at this time. 

Sheriff Schmidt says none of the officers on scene returned gunfire, saying it all just happened too quickly. 

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation. 

Posted: 9:09 p.m. on June 14, 2026

DODGE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Dodge County Sheriff's Office has issued a shelter in place alert for the residents in the area of Rec. Road and Temkin Road in the Town of Elba, south of the City of Columbus. 

Residents are asked to stay in place until further notice for an active tactical situation, as well as avoid the area for anyone in the surrounding areas. 

At this time, there is no indication of a threat to the general public outside the area.

Highway 73 is currently closed between Highway 151 and the City of Columbus. 

No other information is available at this time.