Local law enforcement was involved in an armed standoff in the town of Pine River Tuesday morning with a man who had earlier shot at an officer in Antigo. The incident ended in the death of the suspect, according to a statement from Lt. Tim Fischer of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a statement from Antigo Police Chief Eric Roller, at 6:19 a.m., an officer of Antigo Police Department initiated a traffic stop in the city of Antigo. During the course of the routine stop, the driver fired shots at the officer and left the scene.
A high speed chase ensued on State Rd. 64 west into Lincoln County. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the high speed pursuit.
The suspect vehicle was eventually stopped on Hillview Road in the Township of Pine River with the use of a tire deflation device.
Special Response Teams from the agencies involved were called to the scene to help prevent or decrease any imminent danger in the area, Roller noted.
The suspect remained armed during an hour-long standoff and eventually fired his weapon at law enforcement officers. Four law enforcement officers returned fire, striking and killing the suspect.
The deceased suspect has been identified as Scot A. Minard, 50, of Eagle River. His body was transported to Madison where an autopsy will be conducted.
The four officers, whose names are not being released at this time, have all been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation. They include two Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies (24 years in law enforcement and 9 years in law enforcement, respectively); one Langlade County Sheriff’s Deputy (6 months of experience); and one Antigo Police Officer (5 years of experience).
The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), at the request of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Langlade County Sheriff’s Office, and Antigo Police Department, has been leading the investigation of the officer-involved death.
The investigation of this incident has been a collaboration between DCI, the Wisconsin State Patrol, the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory, the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, and the University of Wisconsin Hospital who will conduct the autopsy. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Langlade County Sheriff’s Office, and Antigo Police Department have been fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation.
DCI is continuing to determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports and evidence to the Lincoln County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.