Deputy's hiring raises questions; 6 mourned
CRANDON, Wis. - An off-duty sheriff's deputy who killed six young people fired 30 rounds of ammunition after he burst into a house where friends had gathered, investigators said yesterday.
CRANDON, Wis. - An off-duty sheriff's deputy who killed six young people fired 30 rounds of ammunition after he burst into a house where friends had gathered, investigators said yesterday.
Tyler Peterson, 20, who later died after exchanging gunfire with law-enforcement officers, had been in a relationship with one of the victims, authorities said.
"They were in a relationship for a few years," Police Chief John Dennee said. "They had broken up and gone back and forth."
The rampage raised questions among residents of the remote northern Wisconsin community about how Peterson could have met requirements to become a law-enforcement officer. No psychological testing was performed, authorities said.
"We had no idea, obviously, that anything like this would ever occur," Dennee said. "Once we realized that he was our suspect, he was no longer a cop."
Six students and graduates of Crandon High School were killed in the rampage. They were at the house to share pizza and watch movies during homecoming weekend. After Peterson burst in, a quarrel ensued, officials said.
He left to get his rifle, then forced his way back in and opened fire, said J.B. Van Hollen, the state's attorney general. Peterson fled and was later found at a residence in the nearby town of Argonne. In phone conversations with law-enforcement officials after he fled, he identified himself as the shooter, officials said.
Although he exchanged gunfire with officers, it was unclear how he was killed, Van Hollen said. An autopsy was being conducted yesterday, and authorities hoped it would tell them more.
The victims were identified as Jordanne Murray, Katrina McCorkle, Leanna Thomas, Aaron Smith, Lindsey Stahl and Bradley Schultz. Autopsies were scheduled to be completed yesterday.
The lone survivor, Charlie Neitzel, 21, was upgraded to serious condition and was improving yesterday at St. Joseph's Hospital, spokeswoman Karla David said.
A Wisconsin town tries to cope. Watch a news report via http://go.philly.com/wisconsinEndText