The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation says one person has died after a standoff with law enforcement officers in Clark County.
It happened early Friday morning in Loyal.
According to a press release from DCI, the standoff took place at the suspect’s home in the city of Loyal. DCI said during the standoff the suspect fired at law enforcement and struck a Clark County deputy, who officials say will be OK.
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As the standoff continued, law enforcement officers deployed gas into the residence. And when officers entered the residence, the suspect began firing and was shot by a Marathon County deputy, who has been placed on standard administrative leave.
Missy Kurasz was working at Swett Retreat Cake Boutique on Loyal’s North Main Street. She told Wisconsin Public Radio that around 2 p.m. Thursday she started seeing police officers heading down West Mill Street.
“Someone came into (the) bakery and told us that the police were blocking off the street and the businesses on Main Street were supposed to lock their doors,” said Kurasz. “So, me and the other girl who was working at the time closed up shop early basically and just finished up our work with the store closed.”
Kurasz said around 4 p.m. she saw an armored vehicle parked on the corner where West Mills and North Main streets meet and that she didn’t fear for her safety.
“The police seemed to have the area fairly secured,” Kurasz said. “It just seemed like it was highly unlikely that the police would let him get that far if he did try anything.”
WEAU TV reports Loyal Police Chief Matthew Kubista issued a press release saying the incident happened after officers attempted to serve a warrant on 77-year-old Robert Domine.
Online court records show a crimal complaint had been filed against Domine in September 2018 for giving false information during the purchase of a handgun. The records also say Domine was arrested July 26 after he failed to show up to a court appearance the year before.
Domine was released on a $500 signature bond in 2018 with the judge setting conditions that he not leave the state without prior notice and approval of the court. The judge also barred Domine from possessing firearms, according to the court records.
On Aug. 21, another warrant was issued for Domine after he failed again to show up to court for the illegal gun purchase, according to the records.
Kubista said in his press release Domine was spotted Wednesday driving a vehicle in Loyal and fled officers when they attempted to pull him over. At one point officers reported that he displayed a handgun out his driver’s side window. Police said Domine left the city and fled his vehicle on foot after it became stuck in a field, WEAU TV reported.
Officers reported losing sight of Domine and alerts were issued throughout the county that a suspect was on the run and considered armed and dangerous.
The next day, after a tip that Domine was at his home in the city, Kubista said a perimiter was established and negotiators attempted to get him to surrender but he refused, according to WEAU TV.
The Clark County Emergency Response Team responded and was assisted by the Marshfield Police Special Response Team and the Marathon County Bomb Squad.
DCI is continuing to collect evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office when the investigation concludes.
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