BARRON COUNTY, Wis. -- On Friday April 6, 2018 the Barron County Sheriff’s Department was advised of an attempt to locate on a subject from Grant County that was wanted in connection with a domestic abuse case. The alert stated the subject was possibly traveling to Rusk Co and was possibly armed with a rifle. A vehicle description was also given that the subject was possibly driving.
At 12:30am a Bloomer Officer spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted to stop it. The vehicle failed to stop and a chase ensued on northbound Hwy 53 and the chase came into Barron County.
Deputies from the Barron County Sheriff’s Department took over the chase and requested that the Barron Police Department set up spike strips on Hwy 53 at Hwy 8. Spikes were deployed and 3 tires on the suspect car were hit, causing the tires to deflate.
As the vehicle came to a stop, just north of the Hwy 53 and Hwy 8 exit, the driver of the vehicle failed to exit or follow the commands of sheriff’s deputies. After several minutes of non compliance and due to the fact the subject possibly may have a weapon a tactical approach was made on the vehicle using a flash bang and shields. When deputies got up to the vehicle the driver Michael Haile 66, of Stitzer, WI was deceased from a self inflicted gun shot wound.
The Sheriff Department was assisted by the Bloomer, Barron and Rice Lake Police Department, the Lakeview Medical Center Ambulance, Cameron First Responders and the Barron County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Per Chris Fitzgerald, Barron County Sheriff
Last Update: Apr 07, 2018 8:22 pm CDT
