APPLETON, Wis. – A Wisconsin firefighter is dead after being shot while responding to an unrelated medical aid call, in which a police officer was also shot, officials said.
A 14-year-veteran with the Appleton Fire Department died after being shot “in the line of duty” while on the scene of a medical emergency at the Valley Transit Center in downtown Appleton, about 120 miles north of Milwaukee, the department confirmed in a statement on Thursday.
Appleton police and fire responded to a medical call in the 100 block of East Washington Street at around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Emergency personnel were shot in an unrelated incident while administering treatment to the injured party, Fox News reported.
Appleton Officers and Firefighters responded to the Valley Transit Center this evening for a medical call. While processing the incident, a shooting incident occurred. All injured parties were transported to local hospitals. No threat to the community at this time.
— Appleton Police (@AppletonPD_WI) May 16, 2019
In total, four people were struck, including a firefighter and police officer. Each victim was transported to an area hospital. Sadly, the unnamed firefighter later died.
A procession was held overnight in Milwaukee as the victim’s body was brought to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office. Firefighters lined the street as emergency vehicles escorted the body. The flag-draped coffin was then brought into the medical examiner’s office.
Milwaukee fire and police officers line the streets near the medical examiners office as they await the body of a fallen Appleton Firefighter. pic.twitter.com/ErOHbIjWN0
— Steven Radmer (@Steven_R) May 16, 2019
Appleton fire said that the police officer who was shot was still in the hospital recovering on Thursday.
Fire officials say funeral arrangements for the firefighter are pending and that the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The Green Bay Police Department is leading the investigation into Wednesday’s shooting.
Update:
The Appleton Fire Department says the 47-year-old man suspected of shooting two people, resulting in the death of firefighter Mitch Lundgaard is from the Wausau area.
The suspect was wounded in gunfire with police and transported to a local hospital where he died of his injuries. Read more.