DOJ investigating after troopers fatally shoot driver involved in Fort Atkinson pursuit
Updated: 7:20 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2020
FORT ATKINSON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Wednesday, Dec. 9 near Fort Atkinson.
A Wisconsin State Trooper just told me the @WisDOJ is now in charge of the situation that shut down two highways near Fort Atkinson after a police car chase. That usually means there was an officer involved shooting pic.twitter.com/WM5MUe62yv
— Brendan Cullerton (@BCullerton) December 10, 2020
Officials say Wisconsin State Patrol attempted a traffic stop on Highway 26 around 12:30 p.m. The driver of the vehicle stopped for a short time and let the sole passenger out of the vehicle. The passenger fled the vehicle and was later apprehended.
The vehicle then fled the scene, and State Patrol pursued. While pursuing, authorities say the individual in the car fired shots at law enforcement. The vehicle eventually came to a stop on Highway 26 at Highway 12 after officials deployed road spikes.
Authorities say at that time, the driver exited the vehicle with a handgun and attempted to carjack a civilian.
Three Wisconsin State Patrol troopers then discharged their weapons and struck the suspect.
Life-saving measures were initiated, however the driver succumbed to injuries at the scene.
No other injuries were reported during the incident.
The involved troopers have been placed on administrative leave per department policy.
The WI DOJ's Division of Criminal Investigation is leading an investigation and will turn over reports to the Jefferson County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.
Multiple witnesses spoke to CBS 58 about the incident, including Cammy Provenzano, who says she witnessed the chase, but not the gunfire.
“I saw one cop go by, two cops go by, three, I slowed down," said Provenzano, who said she was driving on Highway 26 when the chase moved past her. "There was five cops chasing somebody, I looked in the rearview mirror.”
Residents of Fort Atkinson gathered around the ensuing large police presence and said this kind of incident never happens in the area.
“It’s a shocker," Matthew Musgrave said. "It’s a small town. A lot of quiet, fun around here and stuff. Everyone’s friendly to each other. It’s just something I never really would expect happening in Fort.”
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Posted: 2:18 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2020
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- All east and westbound lanes of US 12 near Highway 26 near Fort Atkinson are closed due to an incident Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 9, that officials say started with a police chase.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the on and off ramp on Highway 26 to US 12 is also closed.
Pretty substantial law enforcement presence here just outside Fort Atkinson. The police chief told me this all started with a police car chase, and Wisconsin State Patrol is taking the lead. Three law enforcement agencies are here. Paramedics are at the scene pic.twitter.com/3m8YSJlQiQ
— Brendan Cullerton (@BCullerton) December 9, 2020
The Wisconsin State Patrol, Fort Atkinson Police Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene.
Fort Atkinson police say the pursuit did not actually go through their city, so they are only assisting with road closures.
There are paramedics at the scene.
This is a developing story. Stick with CBS 58 on air and online for updates.