2 Dead, Including Suspected Shooter, In Shooting At Caledonia Gas Stations

A man was shot and killed and an undercover police investigator was shot and injured during a shooting at two gas stations in Caledonia Tuesday morning.

Authorities responded to a report of shots fired at 7:30 a.m. at the Pilot Travel Center off Interstate 94 and about 22 miles south of Milwaukee.

During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said a 32-year-old man “viciously executed” a 22-year-old man who was pumping gas into his car.

The suspected shooter then fired at another person who was driving through the parking lot of the gas station. That person wasn’t injured.

The suspect then left the scene, fleeing to a nearby Mobile gas station on Highway K and Highway H. There, the suspect approached an undercover investigator with the Racine County Sheriff’s Office with his gun drawn. According to Schmaling, the suspect began shooting at the investigator “at a close distance.” The suspect and investigator exchanged gunfire. The suspect, who was struck multiple times, died.

The investigator, who was also shot, was transported to Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine, where he is receiving medical care.

“I personally visited the investigator, and he is conscious and alert,” Schmaling said. Adding that the investigator has worked for the Racine County Sheriff’s Office for 21 years, and just happened to be at the gas station to put gas in his unmarked squad car.

“This is 7:30 in the morning at this Mobil station, it was bustling with activity. People getting their gas and people getting their morning cup of coffee,” Schmaling said. “There is no doubt in my mind, the quick and heroic actions of our investigator saved lives today.”

In Wisconsin, officer-involved shootings must be investigated by an outside agency. The Racine County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that the state Division of Criminal Investigation would be leading the investigation into the incident.

Editor’s note: WPR’s Madeline Fox, Hannah Haynes and Jenny Peek contributed reporting.