Press conference held Friday
MARINETTE COUNTY -- UPDATE 7:55 p.m.
"It's shoot to stop the threat or do whatever you have to do to stop the threat."
Marinette County Sheriff Jerry Suave was adamant at Friday’s press conference that his deputies took proper action.
"To this point in the investigation, I do not see anything that leads me to believe that these officers did not act properly and do what they're trained to do," he said.
This all started around 1:10 a.m. Wednesday when the sheriff's department responded to a domestic dispute at N 6114 27th Road in Beaver, Wisconsin. Eighty-two-year-old Ralph Slattery's wife called 911 saying her husband had a gun and intended to kill himself.
She was able to escape safely from the side deck.
A short time later, Slattery came outside armed with a loaded shotgun. He didn't respond to police commands to drop his weapon. He then racked the shotgun and pointed it at Deputy Lance Lincoln who shot Slattery three times, killing him.
"Mr. Slattery did die of three gunshot wounds, two to the upper chest and one to the stomach,” said Marinette County Coroner George Smith. “He basically died very suddenly."
Smith doesn't expect alcohol was a factor in the incident.
Deputy Lincoln was the only one to fire his weapon during the incident. He has been put on administrative leave while the issue is investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The deputy that fired the weapon killing Ralph J. Slattery during a domestic violence call has been identified as Deputy Lance Lincoln, a nine-and-a-half year Sheriff Deputy. He fired three shots, two hitting the upper chest and one in the stomach with a .223 caliber rifle. The information was released at a press release on Friday.
Police have confirmed that the shotgun Slattery allegedly pointed at the deputy was loaded.
During the 911 call, the wife of the victim reported that he intended to kill himself.
The Marinette County Coroner George Smith said that Slattery died quickly, and there was nothing unusual found in the autopsy.
Smith is waiting on toxicology reports to determine if drugs or alcohol were involved.
Timeline of events
1:10 a.m. - Dispatch receives call from suspect's wife stating he/husband pulled a gun on her. Remains on phone with dispatcher.
1:32 a.m. - Deputies arrive on scene and report they are walking up to the residence.
1:33 a.m. - Wife reports husband has gun in his hands, unknown if it's loaded; finger on trigger.
1:37 a.m. - Deputies request dispatcher to get suspect on the phone; he refuses. Wife reports his intent to kill himself.
1:40 a.m. - Suspect is on back deck per wife.
1:46 a.m. - Deputy reports wife on back deck and suspect is inside by door off of the driveway.
2:00 a.m. - Deputy reports suspect appears to have long rifle in his hand and he comes to side door window, will leave and return.
2:06 a.m. - Suspect goes outside, armed; points gun at officers; shots fired; rescue called.
2:08 to 2:11 a.m. - Confirm wife is safe; shotgun was loaded with round in the chamber; scene is secured for rescue squad personnel.