Burnett County District Attorney Issues Letter Regarding Officer-Involved Shooting

BURNETT COUNTY -- Burnett County District Attorney James Rennicke has issued a letter regarding a recent officer-involved shooting in Burnett County.

On July 2, 2022, Burnett County Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a male, later identified as Darryl R. Hanson, was waving a pistol around it and pointing it at patrons and passing cars, shouting obscenities, and causing a disturbance at the Fishbowl Tavern near Danbury, WI.

Burnett County Sheriff’s Deputies, St. Croix Tribal Officers, and DNR Wardens responded to the scene. Hanson was ordered to drop the firearm multiple times, but he refused and also stated that he would shoot the officers. The letter states that Hanson was shouting obscenities, appeared to be agitated, hostile, unsteady in his movements, and was possibly under the influence of some substance.

Hanson was walking down the road during the incident and Law Enforcement moved with him, continuing to order him to comply and put down the firearm. Hanson raised the gun repeatedly in the air and also pointed it multiple times in the direction of people and residences.

Hanson ultimately turned sharply and pointed his firearm at the officers, at which time Burnett County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Peterson discharged a weapon three times. Emergency medical services were called in and Hanson was airlifted to a hospital where he underwent surgery and medical care.

District Attorney Rennicke’s letter states that under the totality of the circumstances, the actions by the law enforcement officers were reasonable and legally justified. “Any other actions would not have been reasonable and would have placed both the officers as well as the community at high and extreme risk of imminent death or great bodily harm.”

The letter states that any further action against Deputy Peterson is not warranted, and District Attorney Rennicke commends Deputy Peterson for “bravery and steadfast devotion to service to the community.”

The letter from District Attorney Rennicke may be read in its entirety here below.

Letter

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Last Update: Jul 23, 2022 7:25 am CDT