RACINE, Wis. — Two officers were shot following a domestic incident in Racine Tuesday night, according to Racine Police.
Officials said at around 10:46 p.m. they responded to reports of a civil dispute between a man and a woman around the 2900 block of Gillen St. The woman had been kicked out of the house, while her two children remained inside.
Before the police arrived, the 26-year-old man, the woman’s husband, had stepped outside and fired several shots into the air. He then returned inside.
When police arrived on the scene, a female met one of the officers outside to chat about what had happened. She told officers that her husband had said he felt suicidal earlier in the day.
Police then tried to communicating with the husband. During that process, a 3-year-old female appeared at the backdoor and was escorted to safety. After about an hour of trying to establish contact, the male subject fired several rounds at officers through the window of the house, striking two of them.
Racine officers at the scene — which included Sgt. Tom DeBaker, Sgt. Joe Burinda, Officer Dan Wasmund and Officer Ben Eiden — fired back.
The two struck officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Officer Eiden suffered a facial injury and Sgt. Burinda, a shoulder injury. Despite being injured, the two officers remained at the scene.
Police said they believe the injuries were from birdshot pellets. The officers will be on administrative leave, according to procedure.
Eventually, police were able to talk the male out of the residence uninjured. He was taken into custody, sustaining “superficial injuries.” Police said he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation before going to the Racine County Jail.
Police said charges are pending in the incident, including for attempted homicide, recklessly endangering safety and domestic violence disorderly conduct. The female and her two children are safe.
Racine Police investigators encouraged anyone with information on the incident to call the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at (262) 635-7756.
This is a developing story. Check back here for more information.