All lanes in both directions of U.S. Highway 41 are closed from County Highway Y to Schacht Road near Peshtigo due to an incident, August 29, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — A 23-year-old man who was fatally shot by police in Marinette County on Friday was a squatter who had killed the owner of the cabin in southwestern Wisconsin where he was staying, Dane County sheriff’s officials said Tuesday.
The body of Thomas Muckler, 70, was found Thursday night at the cabin in the town of Mazomanie. Family members became worried and notified authorities when Muckler did not show up to a family dinner earlier that evening.
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said deputies were still investigating how Muckler died.
Muckler’s vehicle was not found on the property, so authorities put out a statewide alert. Friday morning, a Marinette police officer saw the vehicle a tried to pull it over. The vehicle then led police on a chase down Highway 41. After the vehicle crashed near Peshtigo, authorities said the man got out and approached officers. One officer shot the man with a Taser, but that was ineffective. At that point, two Marinette police officers shot the suspect.
Officers on the scene gave first aid, and the suspect was taken to the hospital, where he died.
A sharp-edged weapon was found at the scene.
No officers were injured.
The two Marinette police officers are on administrative leave, following department policy. One officer had a body camera, and both officers’ squad cameras were activated.
The state Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the incident.
State law requires that an outside agency investigate whenever a law enforcement officer uses deadly force.
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