DOJ: One dead following officer involved incident in Crescent

One person is dead, and an investigation is underway, following an officer involved critical incident in the Town of Crescent Saturday evening.

In a press release issued Sunday morning, the state Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) reported that the Oneida County sheriff’s office received two hang-up 911 calls at approximately 8:39 p.m. Saturday that required a welfare check at a residence located in the 1600 block of River Street in Town of Crescent. 

“Three Oneida County deputies and two Rhinelander police officers responded to the residence,” the release states. “Upon arrival at the residence, law enforcement determined there were two subjects inside. Law enforcement entered the residence where they were met with gunfire. One of the deputies returned fire. All law enforcement retreated outside the residence, backed away, and created a perimeter. 

“The subject continued to shoot at the officers from the second level of the house and gunfire was exchanged,” the released continued. “Tactical team members from the Vilas, Oneida, Marathon, and Lincoln County sheriff’s offices responded to the residence. Verbal commands were attempted without response and non-lethal tactics were deployed. Eventually the second subject came out of the residence and was evaluated by emergency medical services on scene. The tactical team entered the house and located the other subject who was deceased. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.”

Per department policy, the involved officers from the Rhinelander Police Department and deputies from Oneida County Sheriff’s Office have been placed on administrative duty, the release states.

The release also notes that the involved officers from Rhinelander Police Department were wearing a body camera during the incident and both the Rhinelander Police Department and Oneida County sheriff’s office have squad cameras. 

“DCI is leading this investigation and is assisted by DCI Crime Response Specialists, and members of DCI’s Digital Evidence Unit,” the release said. “All involved law enforcement are fully cooperating with DCI during this investigation. DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Oneida County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.”