Gunshot fired during health and welfare check on Coolidge Ave.

For the second time in less than a week, a gunshot was fired while local law enforcement officers conducted a health and welfare check in the Rhinelander area. On Wednesday evening, an individual fired a shot through a window of a residence on Coolidge Avenue, the Rhinelander Police Department reported Thursday.

No one was injured in the incident but the close proximity of Coolidge Avenue to Rhinelander High School prompted the police department to issue a press release clarifying that the incident was in no way connected to the school.

“It’s been my practice in my seven-plus years as chief that I typically don’t do press releases when it’s mental-health related,” Police Chief Lloyd Gauthier explained. “I did one (in this case) because of the close proximity of the school and some rumors that were out that there may have been a shooting at the school.”

Gauthier said a health and welfare check was conducted because a family member had expressed concern about an individual at the residence.

The individual had made statements about self-harm, according to the release. The incident took place in the 600 block

of Coolidge Avenue at approximately 11:12 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24.

“As officers were walking up to the residence to make contact, a single gunshot was heard from within the house,” the release states. “Additional officers were dispatched to the scene. Phone contact was eventually made with the individual and (he) was eventually taken into protective custody. After being evaluated, the individual was transported to the Oneida County Jail where criminal charges will be filed with the District Attorney’s office.”

Gauthier stated that the individual was not attempting to fire at officers or him- self, but use of a firearm while under the influence is a criminal violation that must be addressed.

He also noted that the incident is an example of the difficulties officers face when responding to incidents involving individuals in crisis.

In the early days of career, 34 years ago, Gauthier noted that a police officer could effectuate a mental health hold with a signature. Later, by the late 1990s/early 2000s, a new screening process was developed by the state but officers could still override it with a signature.

That’s no longer the case, which Gauthier said can be “agonizing” for officers who are the ones who are face to face with an individual they believe is in dire need of immediate help.

Gauthier did note that the local Human Service Center is in transition and the hope is the changes being implemented by the counties involved will result in the agency being more effective.

The incident on Coolidge Avenue took place four days after an individual died after exchanging gunfire with officers during a health and welfare check at a residence located in the 1600 block of River Street in the Town of Crescent, just outside Rhinelander.

According to the state Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), which is investigating the matter, the Oneida County sheriff’s office received two hang-up 911 calls at approximately 8:39 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 that required a welfare check at the residence.

“Three Oneida County deputies and two Rhinelander police officers responded to the residence,” according to the DCI press release. “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. 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.

DCI is leading the investigation and is assisted by DCI Crime Response Specialists, and members of DCI’s Digital Evidence Unit. The agency will turn over its investigative reports to the Oneida County district attorney’s office when the investigation concludes, the release said.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].