Suspected Armed/Suicidal Man Taken Into Custody Near Chegwin School

On Monday, April 24, 2023, at approximately 3:15 p.m., the City of Fond du Lac Police Department responded to the intersection of Marquette Street and E. Merrill Avenue, for a report of a male on 9-1-1 advising that he was armed with a pistol and walking in the street.

FDLPD Officers arrived on scene and located the 23-year-old Oconto (WI) resident walking in the middle of the street on E Merrill Avenue. The male was still talking on the phone with the Fond du Lac County Communications Center.  FDLPD Officers attempted to engage in conversation with the male but he yelled obscenities and told Officers to shoot him several times.  During those efforts, the male refused to remove his right hand from his front sweatshirt pocket.

The male walked into an open parking lot continuing to tell Officers to shoot him. The male then turned away from Officers and began walking north toward E. Rees Street heading in the direction of a nearby school, where students were still present.  FDLPD Officers responded to the area with the Bearcat armored vehicle given the information that the male was armed with a firearm.

Less than lethal impact munitions (40mm ‘eXact iMpact’ Sponge rounds) were deployed. Eventually, through negotiations and many attempts to reason with the male he was taken into protective custody without further incident. The City of Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue responded to evaluate the male. The 23-year old Oconto man was placed on an emergency detention.

If you are in a mental health crisis, there are many services and support available to you whether you need someone to talk to, you need someone to respond, or you need a place to go.

If you are in imminent danger or experiencing a medical emergency call 9-1-1.  If you are having thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself, call the Fond du Lac County Crisis Line at 920-929-3535 or 9-8-8 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.  The Fond du Lac County Crisis Line and 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provide free and confidential support for anyone experiencing a suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis.

To reach out to the Fond du Lac Police Department Co-Response Team call the Fond du Lac County Communications Center non-emergency line at 920-906-5555.

No further details or information are being released at this time.