Six dead in Crandon shooting

[PeaveyFury]

Sounds like the first two shots were to the neck?

[TracyThom]

It keeps getting more bizarre. Not to be graphic, but the only way he could have survived the first 2 shots from a 40 caliber handgun under his chin is if the handgun was tilted forward so the rounds would have exited his mouth or nasal region. A 40 caliber round directly under his chin would have penetrated his brain easily and killed him.

 

The most disgusting part of the story is where he hunted the 2 girls down in the bedroom like animals. They were trying to hide in the closet and he hunted them down and executed them. The lone survivor begged for mercy, and the sicko still stood over him and shot him. He at least had the presence of mind to play dead in order to survive.

[lcbj68c]

As a 6-yr police officer (currently without a job), I'd have to stand behind most everything TracyThom has said. I can't criticize hiring a 19yr old, as I myself was hired at 19 years of age. I have to say that I am finding this state incredibly hard to get a job and am pretty much of the conclusion that Mr. Peterson was hand picked prior to application and therefore received his job offers or employment. After being born and raised here, I moved away as a teenager and ended up finishing school and starting my career at 19 in Florida. During that time, I've earned 48 credits and accumulated 6 years of service and am still consistently in the bottom end of this crazy "scoring" method most agencies use around here simply because it's 48 credits and not 60 credits. Yes folks, that's 1 semester difference and the same response is basically, 6 years of service means nothing. I'm not sure why, so therefore it's amazing the opportunity this Mr. Peterson received. Secondly, the background investigation is pretty intensive always, even if they don't do a psychological exam. Seemingly having an underage girlfriend would have been enough for my former agency to not hire you, as it's seems to pretty clear show a lack of maturity in friend/mate selection. It's one thing to hire at 19, as there are plenty of good candidates that show maturity. From what I've read, he wasn't one and I've baffled by his employment offer despite this. Just my two cents.

[iluvlamp]

I really am not the cover-up kind of guy. But this whole thing stinks. 3! 3 shots from a glock to off yourself seems unreal. Maybe he had 2 magic bullets and one that did the job. Can't imagine it. The fact that no one responded when he was sleeping in the truck is stupid. But before that, as officers, if you get shot at by a suspect and you are not wounded wouldn't you follow the suspect? The fact that the cop and killer knew each other from tech school makes it even more bizarre. Did he not follow because they were friends?

[lcbj68c]

But before that, as officers, if you get shot at by a suspect and you are not wounded wouldn't you follow the suspect? The fact that the cop and killer knew each other from tech school makes it even more bizarre. Did he not follow because they were friends?

 

Luvlamp, It's entirely possible that your line of thinking is correct. I'm not sure how long this cop was employed, but seemingly this was a small town and surely it must be more difficult emotionally to have dealt with the situation having them been friends. Certainly emotion can dictate your actions despite all the training you have received to the contrary. As to your first response, I'm not sure what "shooting" you are referring to. Is it possible that the officer was off-duty and not armed himself when shot at? In that case, I'm not sure I would follow. Also, it's likely that was his first experience being shot at (I've never been there) and his FLIGHT or FIGHT choose FLIGHT despite his training. Not that is neccesairly bad, as he did "go home at the end of the night"

[iluvlamp]

I'm not sure what "shooting" you are referring to. Is it possible that the officer was off-duty and not armed himself when shot at?

I am pretty sure that an officer passed by the scene of the murders ( in a patrol car) shortly after they were finished. The killer then opened fire on the cop thus leaving bullet holes in the windshield.

[BREWCREW5]

Working as a police officer in this state, let me help clear up some things as far as requirements for becoming a cop.

 

You have to be at least 18 years old.

You have to have 60 college credits (which you must get within 5 years of getting hired)

Have no felony convictions or domestic abuse arrests.

 

Now let me break this down even more.

 

Even I was suprised to see a 20 year old working as a deputy in Forrest County. I dont know any cops that are that young. Becoming a cop is very competitive.

 

MOST agencies are looking for someone...

 

who has a 4 year degree

has some life experience

has a clean background

is certified (attended the police academy)

has some experience

[iluvlamp]

Well i think he had a 2 year tech degree for which is not unusual for the sticks. The nepotism up north is incredible. My sister lives in Woodruff and her first take of why the police acted so slowly was...a) they are not well trained. b)they were too stupid to respond. c) They could have been at a bar getting drunk. That's it. She has witnessed the law enforcement officers on duty drinking in bars while she was getting pizza for the kids. It's truly a different world up there which makes me think of a cover-up. The fact that some of the 9-11 tapes are still being concealed bothers me.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Well i think he had a 2 year tech degree for which is not unusual for the sticks. The nepotism up north is incredible. My sister lives in Woodruff and her first take of why the police acted so slowly was...a) they are not well trained. b)they were too stupid to respond. c) They could have been at a bar getting drunk. That's it. She has witnessed the law enforcement officers on duty drinking in bars while she was getting pizza for the kids. It's truly a different world up there which makes me think of a cover-up. The fact that some of the 9-11 tapes are still being concealed bothers me.

 

That is an EXTREMELY unfair evaluation of the situation, and as a Northwoods resident myself, I take offense to what you are saying. In my position as a newspaper reporter, I've had the privalege of getting to know many people in law enforcement in this area. For the most part, they are all extremely good cops, and nothing but respectful. Yes, there are some isolated incidents...however, you are going to get that with any organization, anywhere.

 

Honestly, there is nothing to cover up. As soon as it was determined that Tyler Peterson was a Crandon police officer and Forest County Sheriff's deputy, the local police and sheriff were phazed out entirely. If you look at most of the pictures of the scene, it is Wisconsin State Patrol that is visible. Patrolman Carter was really the only local police officer to be involved. He drove up to investigate what sounded like firecrackers, right as Peterson burst through the door and began firing at him. Carter took cover (as he was taught) as his cruiser was shot up. It was pitch black outside...how was he to know that Peterson didn't pump a bullet into his radiator or gas tank. Plus, trying to drive his cruiser with the windshield the way it was would have been extremely unsafe (and I'm speaking as someone who has seen the cruiser firsthand). After Peterson fled the scene, Carter called it in, then was the first officer on the scene of the shooting. His quick response is being creditied with possible saving Charlie Nietzel's life. As a 21-year-old police officer, he showed an extremely level head throughout the whole ordeal, even though these people too were his friends and family.

 

Also, a 2 year tech degree is not unusual ANYWHERE. That's what all law enforcement degrees are. I guarantee that if you check out any police department in the state (Milwaukee and Madison included), they have cops that started at 19 or 20. That situation is not rare whatsoever. iluvlamp, I don't mean to belittle what you are saying. maybe your sister did see police officers drinking on the job (although I doubt that). Nepotism within law enforcement is everywhere...not just up north.

 

Please, before you make a derogatory, elitist post that basically writes off anyone who lives north of Madison as backwoods hicks, please realize that people like you, who are obviously jumping to conclusions while not really knowing anything about the actual situation, is giving this area an unearned bad name.

[iluvlamp]

I said the sticks and not that were hicks. As for the degree I said it was not unusual not that they were stupid. I was just relating what my sister told me and she has been a resident in Woodruff for many years. Actually seeing cops drinking while on-duty surely isn't something you condone. She is a very honest person. Still, dark or not, it's hard to believe that it tool the authorities so long to respond to actually find him. They knew where he was that morning and still didn't do jack. Peterson is sleeping and they didn't go get him. Numerous calls are streaming in and they still didn't go get him. It's unreal. 3 shots to a head with a .40 cal glock is unbelievable to me. I do not question Carter's bravery I just find it odd that an officer gets shot at and the response is that bad. All I asked is why Carter didn't go after him and don't police usually do. I have seen the car and agree with you. Sorry I have questions about how it looks like they did a bad job in arresting a murderer while he's drinking coffee and eating breakfast. I'm not the only one.

 

As a frequent visitor up there I don't know how you can deny that it IS a different world up there. I didn't say it was bad. You read into my comments as if I made them in malice. Maybe the too stupid to respond thing was harsh but that's her thoughts. So you can take it out on me and belittle me that's fine. I can't help it you turned my comments into a slam against the peeps up in the north woods.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I said the sticks and not that were hicks. As for the degree I said it was not unusual not that they were stupid. I was just relating what my sister told me and she has been a resident in Woodruff for many years. Actually seeing cops drinking while on-duty surely isn't something you condone. She is a very honest person. Still, dark or not, it's hard to believe that it tool the authorities so long to respond to actually find him. They knew where he was that morning and still didn't do jack. Peterson is sleeping and they didn't go get him. Numerous calls are streaming in and they still didn't go get him. It's unreal. 3 shots to a head with a .40 cal glock is unbelievable to me. I do not question Carter's bravery I just find it odd that an officer gets shot at and the response is that bad. All I asked is why Carter didn't go after him and don't police usually do. I have seen the car and agree with you. Sorry I have questions about how it looks like they did a bad job in arresting a murderer while he's drinking coffee and eating breakfast. I'm not the only one.

 

As a frequent visitor up there I don't know how you can deny that it IS a different world up there. I didn't say it was bad. You read into my comments as if I made them in malice. Maybe the too stupid to respond thing was harsh but that's her thoughts. So you can take it out on me and belittle me that's fine. I can't help it you turned my comments into a slam against the peeps up in the north woods.

 

Basically, from what I have learned, the excessive time was spent negotiating with Peterson. At one point, Peterson wanted to come to Rhinelander and turn himself in, because he didn't trust turning himself in in Crandon. He was told that he'd have to give up his sidearm, which he refused to do. Also, during the time he was driving around the tri-county area, he was making calls to law enforcement on his cell phone, reporting false sightings of himself, basically sending law enforcement on a wild goose chase. You need to remember that, while the dispatch centers have cell phone tracing technology, it is a relatively new concept here, and still has some bugs.

When Peterson arrived in Argonne at the Kegleys the first time, he spoke with law enforcement, and asked that he be allowed to visit with his mother and sister. He said more people would be in danger if they didn't allow this. He was then allowed to drive back to the Kegleys. SWAT had the property surrounded 10 minutes after the initial 911 call from Mary Kegley. Unfortunately, since there were innocent, unarmed people there, and Peterson still had weapons at his disposal, it was treated as a hostage situation. It wasn't until Mike and Mary Kegley left the home that SWAT moved in and eventually took down Peterson. The hope the whole time was that Peterson would eventually give up and be taken into custody. Nobody wanted more bloodshed, no matter what crimes Peterson had already committed. There was no way SWAT was going to burst into the Kegley house and try to take down an armed trained tactical officer who had already murdered six people, and had three more unarmed people standing in front of him.

 

I'm sorry if I jumped to conclusions on your thoughts on the Northwoods. I think anyone reading your post would likely think the same thing, though. Trust me, you're not the first person I've had to defend this area to this week. Much of the national media has portrayed the Northwoods of Wisconsin as a mini-Appalachia in the past week, and that's unfair. Yes, it is a different world than the Milwaukee/Madison area. It's small town Wisconsin. There are small towns in the southern part of the state, too. I've lived in both areas. There aren't a whole lot of differences.

[molitor fan]

I'm sorry if I jumped to conclusions on your thoughts on the Northwoods. I think anyone reading your post would likely think the same thing, though

No, not even close.

[BREWCREW5]

I said the sticks and not that were hicks. As for the degree I said it was not unusual not that they were stupid. I was just relating what my sister told me and she has been a resident in Woodruff for many years. Actually seeing cops drinking while on-duty surely isn't something you condone. She is a very honest person. Still, dark or not, it's hard to believe that it tool the authorities so long to respond to actually find him. They knew where he was that morning and still didn't do jack. Peterson is sleeping and they didn't go get him. Numerous calls are streaming in and they still didn't go get him. It's unreal. 3 shots to a head with a .40 cal glock is unbelievable to me. I do not question Carter's bravery I just find it odd that an officer gets shot at and the response is that bad. All I asked is why Carter didn't go after him and don't police usually do. I have seen the car and agree with you. Sorry I have questions about how it looks like they did a bad job in arresting a murderer while he's drinking coffee and eating breakfast. I'm not the only one.

 

As a frequent visitor up there I don't know how you can deny that it IS a different world up there. I didn't say it was bad. You read into my comments as if I made them in malice. Maybe the too stupid to respond thing was harsh but that's her thoughts. So you can take it out on me and belittle me that's fine. I can't help it you turned my comments into a slam against the peeps up in the north woods.

Basically, from what I have learned, the excessive time was spent negotiating with Peterson. At one point, Peterson wanted to come to Rhinelander and turn himself in, because he didn't trust turning himself in in Crandon. He was told that he'd have to give up his sidearm, which he refused to do. Also, during the time he was driving around the tri-county area, he was making calls to law enforcement on his cell phone, reporting false sightings of himself, basically sending law enforcement on a wild goose chase. You need to remember that, while the dispatch centers have cell phone tracing technology, it is a relatively new concept here, and still has some bugs.

When Peterson arrived in Argonne at the Kegleys the first time, he spoke with law enforcement, and asked that he be allowed to visit with his mother and sister. He said more people would be in danger if they didn't allow this. He was then allowed to drive back to the Kegleys. SWAT had the property surrounded 10 minutes after the initial 911 call from Mary Kegley. Unfortunately, since there were innocent, unarmed people there, and Peterson still had weapons at his disposal, it was treated as a hostage situation. It wasn't until Mike and Mary Kegley left the home that SWAT moved in and eventually took down Peterson. The hope the whole time was that Peterson would eventually give up and be taken into custody. Nobody wanted more bloodshed, no matter what crimes Peterson had already committed. There was no way SWAT was going to burst into the Kegley house and try to take down an armed trained tactical officer who had already murdered six people, and had three more unarmed people standing in front of him.

I'm sorry if I jumped to conclusions on your thoughts on the Northwoods. I think anyone reading your post would likely think the same thing, though. Trust me, you're not the first person I've had to defend this area to this week. Much of the national media has portrayed the Northwoods of Wisconsin as a mini-Appalachia in the past week, and that's unfair. Yes, it is a different world than the Milwaukee/Madison area. It's small town Wisconsin. There are small towns in the southern part of the state, too. I've lived in both areas. There aren't a whole lot of differences.

 

VERY, well said. This is by far the best thing I have read on the internet. Most people dont understand, but you paint a very clear and precise picture of what took place.

[iluvlamp]

There was no way SWAT was going to burst into the Kegley house and try to take down an armed trained tactical officer who had already murdered six people, and had three more unarmed people standing in front of him.

 

Why didn't the police tell all the people that were on the property to leave once it was known he was sleeping in his truck?

 

When Peterson arrived in Argonne at the Kegleys the first time, he spoke with law enforcement, and asked that he be allowed to visit with his mother and sister. He said more people would be in danger if they didn't allow this. He was then allowed to drive back to the Kegleys.

This also makes no sense to me. They chase people hill and dale all over the country to hunt down mass murderers and usually move in when the opportunity presents itself. How could he hurt anyone else when he went alone to meet with his family. They could have intercepted him and ended it there. Since when is it the cops job to grant pseudo last wishes to people who have killed 6 and wounded another?

 

Also clear this up for me. JB Van Hollen said that the killer gave his weapons up to Kegley and was not armed when he was eating breakfast. Seriously? Why would they not act on that tip? Maybe you have heard something different.

[matthewcmeq]

Mark Belling has been advancing the theory that law enforcement officers had no intention of peacefully apprehending Peterson and simply waited for an opportunity to execute him. I have to admit that it seems like the most likely explanation in the face of the very unusual facts of the case. You can listen to his latest discussion on this issue.

[BREWCREW5]

Mark Belling has been advancing the theory that law enforcement officers had no intention of peacefully apprehending Peterson and simply waited for an opportunity to execute him. I have to admit that it seems like the most likely explanation in the face of the very unusual facts of the case. You can listen to his latest discussion on this issue.

 

Mark Belling is an idiot who will say anything to cause a stir and get more ratings. The last thing law enforcement wanted was for Peterson to die. I think the waiting can be attributed to the authorities trying to come to a peaceful resolution and not a deadly standoff.

[Ralph Wiggum]

There was no way SWAT was going to burst into the Kegley house and try to take down an armed trained tactical officer who had already murdered six people, and had three more unarmed people standing in front of him.

 

Why didn't the police tell all the people that were on the property to leave once it was known he was sleeping in his truck?

 

When Peterson arrived in Argonne at the Kegleys the first time, he spoke with law enforcement, and asked that he be allowed to visit with his mother and sister. He said more people would be in danger if they didn't allow this. He was then allowed to drive back to the Kegleys.

This also makes no sense to me. They chase people hill and dale all over the country to hunt down mass murderers and usually move in when the opportunity presents itself. How could he hurt anyone else when he went alone to meet with his family. They could have intercepted him and ended it there. Since when is it the cops job to grant pseudo last wishes to people who have killed 6 and wounded another?

 

Also clear this up for me. JB Van Hollen said that the killer gave his weapons up to Kegley and was not armed when he was eating breakfast. Seriously? Why would they not act on that tip? Maybe you have heard something different.

 

He was sleeping in his truck with a loaded .40 calibur pistol at the ready next to him. Also, Van Hollen said that Peterson gave up his AR-115 assault rifle, and two other rifles he had with him, but refused to give up his pistol. He was armed with the pistol throughout the whole ordeal. That simple fact is what dragged this out, and why Tyler Peterson ended up dead. He met his end holding that department-issued pistol, dead by his own hand.

 

Yes, Mark Belling is an absolute moron for thinking that law enforcement wanted a quick execution. That's a ludicrous line of thinking. Mattewmeq, you cannot tell me you honestly believe that Peterson's killing was planned. He began walking toward SWAT team members with his pistol drawn and exchanged gunfire with them out in the woods. It was only after he was hit in the arm (a non-lethal hit, which crippled his ability to be a threat to any other innocent lives), a tactic that SWAT is taught, that he turned the gun on himself. Because his right arm was severely injured, it's likely he had difficult pulling the gun and aiming at his own head, explaining the first two, non-lethal shots. Shock likely kicked in then,and he was able to finish the job.

 

I'm sorry that I had to go through bloody details, but I'm not a big fan of a story getting lamblasted by non-local media, giving this area and its civil servants a bad name. Unfortunately, mainstream media (mostly people like Belling) often tend to fill in details with their own, sick imaginations, in an effort to get listeners, readers or watchers. His type of media is the worst type, and makes my truely sickened to be in this line of work sometimes.

[PeaveyFury]

This thread is a great example of everything that is wrong with the 'quote functionality' on this board. Please, please bold or highlight what you're replying to via cut/paste instead of quoting multi-paragraph blocks.

 

Thanks.

[Fatter than Joey]

Peterson gave up his AR-115 assault rifle

 

Did they determine if this was a civilian model?

[Ralph Wiggum]

Fatter than Joey wrote:

 

Did they determine if this was a civilian model?

They have determined that it was his SWAT issued rifle. However, the same model is available as a civilian model. The only difference is that Peterson's could shoot three rounds with one pull of the trigger, while civilian models only allow one bullet per squeeze. However, I doubt that it makes much of a difference in this case...he probably could have used a .22 and had the same type of effect.

 

Sorry Peavy...still getting used to the "quote" function on this board...never had to worry about it with ezboard

[PeaveyFury]

Not a problem Ralph, and I wasn't singling you out- it's just an annoying side-effect of the functionality that's becoming more widespread in discussions on the board.

[TwinsBrewersWorldSeries]

Thanks for everyone that has shared their insight in this thread, especially the law enforcement officers. While this is a major tragedy, I think it has increased my faith and trust in law enforcement. I can not imagine the emotions involved in a mass shooting like this, especially when the suspect happens to be a member of law enforcement himself.

 

I would think that the suspect almost always always ends up dead in a mass shooting like this, either self-inflicted or in a gun-battle with police, and given that Petersen was a cop, i'm sure he knew this. A suspect, who has killed multiple people, and knows he's likely dead himself would be extremelt difficult and dangerous to deal with and my thanks and appreciation go to the officers that ended this without further bloodshed.

 

Good services (police and fire protection) can be very expensive for communities, but I would insist, inspecially in the case like this that that protection is an excellent investment for the community. Experienced professionals require a decent salary and good benefits (they are putting their lives on the line), but thats worth it. The school district that I work for is currently exploring the possibility of eliminating our on-staff police officer. As the Finance Director, its my job to present the financial options and let the board of education make the decision, but in instances like this I find myself tested to be the professional "facilitator" of the discussion and not let me own feelings cloud the issue.

 

Anyways, many mentions/thanks to US Service men and women for their service, but also to the men/women of law enforcement who constantly put their lives on the line to ensure that incidents like this are rare and uncommon

[Fatter than Joey]

They have determined that it was his SWAT issued rifle.

 

I wonder what that department's regulations are to their inventory, if their officers can have access to them off duty.

[TracyThom]

They have determined that it was his SWAT issued rifle.

 

I wonder what that department's regulations are to their inventory, if their officers can have access to them off duty.

Since he was on the SWAT team, he has to have it at home with him. SWAT responds directly to the scene when paged to a call.

 

Also, thanks for the first-hand knowledge Ralph. It really helps clear up some things.

[Fatter than Joey]

Since he was on the SWAT team, he has to have it at home with him. SWAT responds directly to the scene when paged to a call.

 

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

Having a 20 year old on the force is one thing -- perhaps the SWAT another, esp. if one of the requirements is for said 20 year old to have a AR15 at home.