SUSSEX, Wis. — A 37-year-old man was arrested by authorities in Waukesha County after firing shots, leading police on a pursuit, and barricading himself in a Sussex home. The incident prompted several schools to go into lockdown.
WATCH: Officials provide update on tactical response outside Sussex home
Hartland Police Chief Torin Misko said during a press conference that officers were dispatched to a business on Richards Road regarding a man shooting a gun in the parking lot around 2:30 p.m.
The suspect was described as a 37-year-old man who fled the scene in a white car, which was later located by the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department.
WATCH: Police chase with what appears to be the wanted vehicle between Sussex and Hartland in Waukesha County Thursday evening. (Video credit: Nicole Bartelt).
A police pursuit began and the suspect drove to his home on Water Tower Ct. in the Village of Sussex.
The suspect then barricaded himself inside, Chief Misko said. The Waukesha County Tactical Enforcement Unit responded. At 4:25 p.m., the sheriff’s department was able to arrest the suspect.
The Hartland Police Department sent out a shelter-in-place notification for surrounding areas, including schools, while law enforcement officials were attempting to find the suspect.
Authorities initially issued a public safety alert for people in the area of Richards and Walnut Ridge in Hartland. According to the alert, the suspect is a white male, with a beard and owns an older white Mercury.
Once the suspect barricaded himself in his home, a notification was sent to the community to let them know the suspect was no longer in the area.
WATCH: SWAT team assembles outside a residence in Sussex.
A SWAT team in tactical gear responded to the Sussex scene. A video shared with TMJ4 News showed a pair of snipers walking through people's backyards.
There were no injuries at the business on Richards Road.
Sussex Hamilton High School, Templeton Middle School, Silver Spring Intermediate School, Willow Springs Elementary School, and Woodside Elementary School were put into lockdown for student safety.
Woodside is the only school that remained in lockdown due to how close the school was to the police response. As soon as the suspect was in custody and the residence was cleared, an all-clear was sent shortly before 5 p.m., and students were released. There were major traffic backups along Woodside in Sussex near the elementary school.
All students and staff are safe.
The following charges will be forwarded to the Waukesha County District Attorney by the Hartland Police Department: two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with the use of a dangerous weapon and two counts of criminal damage to property. The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department is seeking charges of fleeing/eluding and resisting/obstructing an officer.
There is no additional threat to the community.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
