By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
MARATHON COUNTY – A man is in custody after allegedly shooting at a vehicle on U.S. Hwy. 51 in Marathon County.
According to a Saturday, Oct. 7 release from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, a 911 call was received at about 8:44 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 from an individual traveling northbound on U.S. Hwy. 51 near County Rd. WW in the Village of Maine. The caller reported that they and their vehicle had been struck by gunfire.
“Following the initial report, multiple calls were received about the incident, and a suspect vehicle description was obtained,” the release stated. “The vehicle’s occupants, targeted by gunfire, safely pulled over, received medical attention from first responders in Lincoln County and were transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.”
The release said the suspected vehicle was located by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the vehicle was pursued back into Marathon County after it failed to comply with orders to stop.
“The Wausau Police Department deployed tire deflation devices to bring the pursuit to an end,” the release stated. “However, the suspect vehicle evaded these measures.”
The pursuit ended when a Lincoln County deputy disabled the suspect’s vehicle with their patrol vehicle in the City of Wausau. The Lincoln County deputy suffered minor injuries from the crash, according to the release.
After the pursuit, the northbound lane of U.S. Hwy. 51, where the initial incident occurred, was closed for approximately three hours to conduct an investigation.
Bennie Zachariah Green, 41, from Tony, Wis., was arrested as a result of the investigation.
Charges of attempted homicide, first degree recklessly endangering safety, being in possession of a firearm as a felon, operating while intoxicated (second offense) and a Department of Corrections warrant were forwarded to the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office for consideration, according to the release.
The release said the incident was isolated, and there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, the Wausau Police Department, the Wausau Fire Department and the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office.
“This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be provided at this time,” the release said, noting that additional information would be posted to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page when available.
No additional information had been released as of Wednesday, Oct. 11.