WI Sheriff Says Deputy Stopped Mass Shooting by Killing Gunman

Racine County, WI, Sheriff Christopher Schmaling gave an impassioned speech to the County Board Tuesday evening just hours after one of his investigators was wounded in a gunfight at an area gas station.

The deputy shot and killed a a 32-year-old from Hartland — who had, just minutes before, shot and killed a 22-year-old man from Elkhorn “for no reason” at the Pilot Travel Center near Interstate 94 in Caledonia, Schmaling said.

Judging by the shooter’s actions prior to his death, Schmaling said Tuesday night that it appeared the man had intended to commit a mass shooting but was stopped short by the investigator, who coincidentally was gassing up his undercover vehicle at the Mobil gas station, 2.3 miles southeast of the Pilot Travel Center, when the shooter arrived.

Schmaling said the investigator was shot at least twice, and that Schmaling personally picked up the 21-year-veteran deputy’s wife and child to bring them to Ascension All Saints Hospital to visit him, the Journal Times reports.

Late Wednesday afternoon, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release that the investigator "is in the hospital recovering from multiple gunshot wounds which fractured several bones in the area of his pelvis. The Investigator’s injuries are non-life threatening. The Sheriff’s Office wishes their friend and colleague a speedy recovery, and we appreciate the support from our community."