FOND DU LAC, Wis., March 20 (UPI) -- A gunman shot and killed one police officer and wounded another before taking his own life during a standoff in Fond du Lac, Wis., authorities said.
The slain officer was identified as Craig Birkholz, 28, a two-year member of the city police force who was hit in the chest as he stood in a nearby parking lot. The second officer, Ryan Williams, 33, a nine-year department veteran, was critically wounded but was expected to survive, police officials said.
The gunman was James Cruckson, who died of a self-inflicted wound at the scene.
A third officer received a minor injury and was treated and released. A police dog also was wounded.
Gannett Wisconsin Media reported the incident started about 6 a.m. when Cruckson shot at and missed a woman walking near his home. Cruckson fired on several police cars and ambulances during the 6-hour incident that ended when police found him dead inside the home where he had made his stand.
Gannett reported police had been summoned to the home several times in the past year to deal with domestic complaints. Neighbors said Cruckson had served a couple tours of duty in Iraq and owned several weapons.
Gannett said he had told patrons of a neighborhood bar he intended to start shooting people at 6 a.m. Sunday.
