A law enforcement officer killed at least five people in a
shooting rampage in northern Wisconsin early Sunday morning, CNN
reported.
The incident took place in the northeast Wisconsin town of
Crandon, 362 km north of Milwaukee and not far from the Canadian
border, according to the report.
The suspect, Tyler Peterson, is a local deputy sheriff who fired
all the shots in the incident.
Tom Vollmar, supervisor of the Forest County where Crandon
situates, said the death toll could be five or six, and the
neighborhood where the shooting occurred has been blocked off.
A witness told local media that the shooting broke out around 3
AM at a party in a Crandon home where 10 people aged between 17 and
20 were there at the time. At least five of them were shot
dead.
It is not immediately known how many people were injured and
their conditions.
It is also unclear what sparked the shooting and what is the
motive of the suspect.
"Nobody expected anything like this," Vollmar said. "I guess
nobody anywhere ever does."
At this time, authorities are still trying to apprehend
Peterson, considered armed and dangerous, and who may be on
foot.
The whole town is still locked up at present and local residents
are told not to leave their house for the sake of their safety.
The incident shocked Crandon, a small town of about 2,000
people, located in a scenic region famous for logging, and fishing,
hunting and snowmobiling. It's also home to the World Championship
Off-Road Races.
"This has been a very tragic evening. It's affected probably
every family in this community," said Vollmar.
(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2007)
