Appleton Fire Department: Suspect in Appleton firefighter's death is from Wausau
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.
Investigators said around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Appleton Police, fire personnel and EMTs, responded to the bus station in Appleton to assist a 47-year-old male who was arriving on a bus and having a medical emergency.
The first responders provided initial medical assistance on the bus. The man eventually left the bus and started walking toward the library. Investigators said while attending to the man, the incident escalated into shots being fired.
Investigators said Mitch Lundgaard was struck by gunfire along with a woman, and an Appleton Police Officer.
The police officer was released from the hospital Thursday. The woman is in stable condition. Lundgaard died at an area hospital. He was a 14-year veteran of the fire department.
The suspect was transported to a hospital where he died from his injuries.
The investigation is being led by the Green Bay Police Department, with the assistance of several other state and local agencies.
to watch a news conference on the shooting.
Thursday, police and fire vehicles escorted Lundgaard's body down College Ave and to Brettschneider-Trettin-Nickel Funeral Chapel Citizens lined the street to pay their respects.
"Mitch was married and a father of three young kids. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time," said Appleton Fire Chief Jeremy Hansen.
to watch the procession.
A procession was held overnight in Milwaukee as Lundgaard's body was brought to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. First responders lined the street as emergency vehicles escorted the firefighter to the medical examiner. The fallen firefighter was draped in an American flag.
"Kathy and I send our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, & colleagues of the firefighter who lost their life last night," Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement on Twitter. "We stand with our brave first responders @appletonfire, @cityofappleton, and @AppletonPD_WI as they mourn this loss."
"My condolences to the family and friends of the brave firefighter who lost his life in Appleton yesterday. May everyone affected by this tragedy find peace," says Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul.
Because the shooting involved Appleton first responders, the Green Bay Police Department was called in to investigate the incident with the help of other agencies.
Appleton, Kaukauna and Fox Valley Metro police departments, Outagamie County Sheriff's Office and the Wisconsin State Patrol responded to the scene.
The Appleton Police Department has set up
to support Lundgaard's wife and three children.
Donations by mail or in person can be addressed to:
Friends of the Appleton Fire Department
700 N. Drew St.
Appleton, WI 54911
STATEMENTS ON APPLETON SHOOTING
“My thoughts and sympathies go out to the families and friends of the victims of yesterday’s violent incident in Appleton. I would like to thank all of the Appleton Police Department and Fire Department staff for their quick response and professional handling of yesterday’s tragic shooting and to the Green Bay Police Department for its ongoing investigation. While it is too early to know all of the details of this tragic event, it is clear that our emergency services personnel have once again been put in harm’s way and that we stand with our brave first responders working to protect our Fox Cities Community.” - Rep. Amanda Stuck (D-Appleton)
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