Assistant manager at Beaver Dam Fleet Farm shot, injured after confrontation over shoplifting

BEAVER DAM -- Beaver Dam police responded to a call of a shooting at the Fleet Farm store located on N. Spring Drive in Beaver Dam on Wednesday, July 15th.

Upon arrival, officers determined a 31-year-old man, who is an assistant manager at the Fleet Farm, had been shot one time in the wrist and shoulder area. The shooting occurred in the parking lot. The assistant manager was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Upon further investigation, it was determined the assistant manager was assisting a loss prevention employee with the attempted detention of a suspect for shoplifting ammunition from the store. Police say the suspect entered a vehicle and shot one time with a handgun, striking the assistant manager. This was witnessed by both the loss prevention employee and an off duty law enforcement officer.

The suspect fled the scene at a high rate of speed and proceeded south on U.S. Highway 151.

At approximately 5:45 p.m., a suspect was located and taken into custody by the Dodge County Sheriff's Department and the City of Columbus Police Department. A handgun was recovered in the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed this individual, a 17-year-old Fitchburg male, was responsible for the shooting. He was transported to the Dodge County Detention Facility and charges of attempted first degree intentional homicide, recklessly endangering safety and retail theft have been requested through the Dodge County District Attorney's Office.

A second suspect was identified as an accomplice in this incident. That individual, an 18-year-old Verona man, was taken into custody at Fleet Farm a short time after the incident. He has been taken tot he Dodge County Detention Facility and charges of party to the crime of recklessly endangering safety and party to the crime of retail theft have been requested through eh Dodge County Attorney's Office.

The Beaver Dam Police Department was assisted by the Beaver Damn EMS, Dodge County Sheriff's Department, Columbus Police Department and the Township of Beaver Dam Police Department.