Dane Co. Sheriff’s Office no longer searching for suspect in stabbing of Deputy

CROSS PLAINS, Wis. (WMTV) - The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Saturday the Dane County Sheriff’s Office is halting the search for a suspect in connection with a Thursday night stabbing.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy investigating a suspicious person in Festge County Park was injured Thursday when the man attacked her with an edged weapon.

A Dane County deputy called in for a shots fired incident around 8:15 Thursday night at the park.

Officials add, the deputy fired her weapon during the altercation and the suspect fled on foot. The deputy suffered non life threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. In an update around 8 a.m., a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson reported, “our deputy was released from the hospital and is home recovering.”

The Cross Plains Police Department updated the public Friday afternoon, saying they are following all leads on the armed subject and have increased patrols throughout the day. They also noted nothing has led them to believe the suspect is in Cross Plains.

One woman, who lives near Festge Park said she woke up to a phone alert during the incident.

“I was really frightened and I made sure everything was locked up,” Gail Galle said. “You just have to use common sense and be aware of your surroundings; if you see anyone suspicious, say something, but lock up.”

Officers will also be monitoring the schools to make sure children get home safe, Chief Tony Ruesga Jr. stated.

At this time, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office no longer believes there is a danger to the public and is no longer searching for the individual in connection with the matter.

Those who live near or are near Festge County Park in Cross Plains were urged to stay indoors Thursday night due to an armed suspect in the area, according to Dane County officials.

According to Dane County Emergency Management, there was a report of an armed suspect near Festge County Park at 4894 Scherbel Road. Anyone who lives in the area is asked to stay inside and lock all doors and windows.

Dane County Sheriff’s Office tweeted around 10:40 p.m. that they were searching for a suspect in the Town of Berry. The suspect was described as a man wearing a black hoodie and black pants.

Anyone who sees or hears anything suspicious should call 911 immediately, authorities say.

Local police have continuously arrived in the area from 9:30 p.m. to around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. Law enforcement from as far as Cambridge and Deerfield have been sent to the scene, so far.

Officers will notify the public when it is safe.

All westbound lanes are blocked on US 14 westbound Thursday night due to a law enforcement incident near Cross Plains.

Middleton Cross Plains Area School District confirmed to NBC15 that “building hold” protocols were activated at Park Elementary School and Glacier Creek Middle School as the search for the suspect continues.

Under those procedures, students arriving at the school are immediately brought inside and will not be allowed to leave the building. However, classroom activities will continue as usual. The district also noted that police were present when the students arrived Friday.

Visitors will not be allowed in the building until the suspect has been caught, it added.

“Our first priority is always the safety of our students and staff. We have taken all the necessary precautions to ensure that students may attend school as routinely as possible,” MCPASD spokesperson Shannon Valladolid said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and act accordingly.”

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office told NBC15 an officer was investigating a suspicious person at Festge County Park, which is near the site of the road closures.

In an alert sent out by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation around 8:55 p.m., it states the westbound lanes were closed on US 14 from County Highway KP to South Valley Road.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is responding to the scene and estimated the incident will last for about 2 hours. As off 11:20 p.m., the road was still closed.

The WI Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation is working collaboratively with the DCSO to investigate.

Copyright 2021 WMTV. All rights reserved.