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Jan 31, 2024

Man fired shots in Hartland business parking lot, then barricaded himself in Sussex home

Multiple Hamilton School District schools put on lockdown Multiple Hamilton

Multiple Hamilton School District schools put on lockdown

Multiple Hamilton School District schools put on lockdown

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Multiple Hamilton School District schools put on lockdown

The large police presence near an elementary school in Sussex Thursday afternoon was because of a tactical situation in the area.

Judah, a fourth grader, told WISN 12 News that he was inside Woodside Elementary School when a lockdown was initiated.

"I feel like it's just a drill but then when our teacher told us it's not a drill I was surprised and I hid behind stuff. So it was pretty different," Judah said. "We just heard on the speakers — lockdown, this person is dangerous."

Hartland police Chief Torin Misko said his department was called to a business on Richards Road because a man was shooting at vehicles in the parking lot.

"Hartland police were dispatched to a business on Richards Road regarding a male suspect shooting a gun in the parking lot," Misko said.

The man left the scene in a vehicle and was eventually seen by Waukesha County sheriff's deputies in the village of Sussex. A chase began, Misko said.

"The suspect drove to his residence in the village of Sussex, where he barricaded himself inside," Misko said.

The man, 37, drove to an apartment complex on Water Tower Court in Sussex and barricaded himself inside.

He eventually came out and was taken into custody.

There were no injuries at the business, and no shots were fired during the pursuit.

Multiple schools in the area of the tactical situation were put on lockdown.

Woodside Elementary, which was the closest, remained on lockdown until late afternoon, Waukesha County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Lt. Nicholas Wenzel said.

Parents rushed to the school to pick up their children.

"At first, it's a little bit of panic," said Woodside Elementary parent, Josh Tatreau, "You just hope that they're OK. So, just try to get to them as quickly as possible."

The Hamilton School District sent home a letter to parents, saying in part, "The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department put four of our school buildings on lockdown shortly before 3 p.m. This was in response to a law enforcement situation happening off of school property. All students and staff are safe."

Read full letter

Misko said two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with the use of a dangerous weapon and two counts of criminal damage to property will be forwarded to the Waukesha County District Attorney's Office.

The sheriff's office said it will forward charges for resisting/obstructing an officer and for fleeing/eluding.

Large police presence and expansive pick up line at Woodside Elementary School in Sussex. We’re working to learn more here. A parent tells me he received a lock down alert and then another "all clear" alert. The circumstances surrounding those alerts are unclear. pic.twitter.com/4AZ0a3qWxu