Four Shot, Suspect Dead in Middleton Workplace Shooting

A gunman shot four people, none fatally, at his workplace in Middleton, Wisconsin, on Wednesday morning. The suspect was killed in an exchange of fire with police, according to Middleton Police Chief Charles Foulke.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Sep 19, 2018

[UPDATE: Sept. 20, 2018, 8:48 a.m.]

A gunman shot four people, none fatally, at his workplace in Middleton, Wisconsin, on Wednesday morning. The suspect was killed in an exchange of fire with police, according to Middleton Police Chief Charles Foulke.

The shooter, who has not yet been identified, was in the building before he began firing at fellow employees of software company WTS Paradigm at about 10:29 a.m., Foulke said. He described the gunman as “heavily armed,” with a semi-automatic handgun and “a number of magazines”.

The gunman was confronted at 10:34 a.m. by two Middleton police officers and two Dane County Sheriff’s deputies, with whom he exchanged fire, Foulke said. No officers were injured, and the suspect died at UW Hospital.

“They arrived very quickly, within minutes,” Foulke said. “I think a lot less people were injured or killed because police officers went in and neutralized the shooter.”

One of the four people shot was grazed by a bullet, according to police. UW Hospital spokesman Andrew Hellpap said Wednesday night that one of the victims being treated was in critical condition, while two were in serious condition. Another victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at St. Mary’s Hospital, according to spokeswoman Kim Sveum.

A motive for the shooting is unknown at this time, officials said. The gunman had no criminal past or previous contact with the police department, according to Foulke.

The Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation has taken over the investigation because officers were involved, Foulke said. The investigation is ongoing.

Original story posted below.

Three people were shot, none fatally, in a workplace shooting incident in Middleton, Wisconsin, on Wednesday morning, according to Middleton Police Chief Charles Foulke. The shooter was shot and killed by police, Foulke said.

The shooting took place shortly before 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in a Middleton building housing multiple businesses, including software company WTS Paradigm. According to reports, at least 40 police squad cars and ambulances across multiple jurisdictions responded to the active shooter scene.

“We know that three people were injured and are being treated at local hospitals for gunshot wounds," Foulke said. "Officers who responded engaged the suspect. He was shot by officers."

Four patients were brought to UW Hospital, according to UW Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Brunette. Two patients were in serious condition, and another was listed as in critical condition. Another patient with non-life threatening injuries was being treated at St. Mary’s hospital, according to a spokeswoman.

As a precautionary measure, the Middleton Cross Plains School District put all of its schools on lockdown, district spokesman Perry Hibner said. The order was in effect for about 90 minutes and was lifted around noon.

Middleton City Administrator Mike Davis said the situation was considered “stable” at about 12:40 p.m.

FBI spokesman Leonard Peace said the FBI was assisting local law enforcement with the response. The investigation is ongoing.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

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