Posted on 10/09/2007 4:29:23 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
(AP) CRANDON, Wis. -- An off-duty sheriff's deputy who killed six people apparently shot himself three times, with the last shot hitting him in the right side of the head, the state attorney general said Tuesday.
Tyler Peterson, 20, shot himself twice under the chin, while the third and fatal shot entered the right side of his head, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said. Peterson also was shot once in the left biceps from a distance.
The six people who died were either students or recent graduates of Crandon High School, where Peterson also had graduated. They were at the house to share pizza and watch movies during the school's homecoming weekend when Peterson attacked early Sunday.
The lone survivor was scheduled for surgery Tuesday afternoon.
Peterson died near a friend's home in Argonne.
Van Hollen said Peterson went to Jordanne Murray's home about 2 a.m. and argued with her after accusing her of dating someone else. Murray demanded Peterson leave, and he did, only to return with an AR-15 rifle.
"He didn't speak, he simply opened fire," Van Hollen said.
Investigators found three bodies on or next to a couch -- Lindsey Stahl, 14; Aaron Smith, 20, and Bradley Schultz, 20. Murray, 18, was found in the kitchen.
Lianna Thomas, 18, was found in a closet, and Katrina McCorkle, 18, was just outside it. Both had apparently been trying to hide, Van Hollen said.
The last person shot was survivor Charlie Neitzel, 21, of Pickerel. He pleaded with Peterson after the first shot, only to have him fire again, Van Hollen said. Neitzel fell to the floor, where he lay still as Peterson fired a third time.
"Playing dead until Peterson left, Neitzel survived," Van Hollen said.
District Attorney Leon Stenz said he talked with Peterson by telephone for five or 10 minutes right before Peterson was killed, as they tried unsuccessfully to find a way for Peterson to turn himself in.
Peterson seemed calm and said he had talked to an attorney, but the two didn't talk about what had happened at the house, he said.
"He didn't call to confess," Stenz said.
Moments later, Peterson ran toward a wooded area where he was shot, he said.
Stenz said he knew Peterson well because he handled several cases with him.
"He always seemed to be level-headed and fine during those meetings. I think he wanted to talk to me because he knows I'm fair," Stenz said.
The rampage raised questions in the remote northern Wisconsin community of 2,000 of whether Peterson was qualified for his law enforcement positions.
Police acknowledged Peterson received no psychological screening before being hired Sept. 11, 2006. His yearlong probation ended last month.
"No person that I've ever known at 20 years old was responsible enough to be a police officer," said Steve Bocek, of Oak Creek, whose 20-year-old nephew Bradley Schultz was killed. "It's unbelievable. You don't have the mind to be a police officer. It takes a lot."
But Crandon City Attorney Lindsay Erickson said age doesn't matter as long as officers do their jobs well. Peterson testified for her in several cases, wrote good reports and was "true to his job," she said.
"From what I saw of him, I didn't see any warning signs or red flags," Erickson said.
Dr. Phil Trompetter, a police psychologist in Modesto, Calif., estimated at least 40 states require psychological testing of prospective officers.
"Wisconsin must be in a very small minority," he said.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Law Enforcement Standards Board requires only that applicants be free of emotional or mental conditions that might hinder them in their duties. It does not say how that is determined.
No formal national standards exist for hiring police, although individual states are adopting requirements such as mandatory psychological tests, said Craig Zendzian, author of several guidebooks for police applicants.
In Minnesota, police officers must be licensed by the state Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, which includes an evaluation by a licensed psychologist.
Sure I believe that, yes sure do, now how much was that bridge stock .
"From what I saw of him, I didn't see any warning signs or red flags," Erickson said.
Dr. Phil Trompetter, a police psychologist in Modesto, Calif., estimated at least 40 states require psychological testing of prospective officers.
It would seem that they also need to start testing the city attorney, but then maybe she has a thing for your men.
I don’t care how that Thug was killed as long as he is dead and can no longer victimize innocent people.
True, but under our Constitution that is a matter for the courts.
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