PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A vehicle pursuit with an “armed suicidal individual” in the city of Fond du Lac Tuesday led to a less-than-lethal deployment by police.
Around 9:20 p.m., the Fond du Lac Police Department (FDLPD) was dispatched to the 200 block of 7th Street for a report of a suicidal female with a “large butcher style knife” entering a vehicle.
Officers located the vehicle, driven by a 33-year-old Fond du Lac woman, but she failed to stop or pull over after authorities activated their emergency lights. Police say the driver “reached a speed of approximately 37 MPH travelling through areas in the southwest portions of the City.”
Eventually, the woman stopped the vehicle in the area of County Highway V and U.S. Highway 151. Police say she then exited the vehicle and began walking towards an officer while refusing to drop the knife.
One less-than-lethal impact munition (40mm ‘eXact iMpact’ Sponge round) was deployed striking the armed female in the leg causing her to drop the knife. After the deployment, the female was taken into protective custody. The City of Fond du Lac Fire/Rescue responded to evaluate the female. The 33-year-old Fond du Lac woman was placed on an emergency detention.
FDLPD went on to further outline the actions taken during the incident:
The goal in any situation is to de-escalate and bring a peaceful resolution so that everyone is safe. Even when Officers attempt to de-escalate a situation, sometimes factors beyond the control of an Officer can result in force becoming necessary. The use of a less-than-lethal impact munition helped resolve a high-stress armed encounter while reducing the risk of injury to the individual and Officers.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, there are many services and support available to you whether you need someone to talk to, you need someone to respond, or you need a place to go. Simply call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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