(WTAQ-WLUK) — Officials released the name of the man who was armed with a pellet gun and the Shawano County deputy who shot him earlier this month.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice says on March 10, deputies were called to a home in the 2300 block of Highway 22 in the town of Green Valley just before 1:45 a.m. for a disturbance.
When deputies arrived, they found 38-year-old Jonathan L. Lupe locked inside a bathroom.
Lupe refused to get out and announced he had a gun. Deputies tried less lethal force, investigators said, but that was ineffective. Officials say Lupe moved toward officers, holding what the officers believed to be a gun.
Shawano County deputy Cole Vande Hei, with four and a half years of law enforcement experience, fired his weapon and struck Lupe.
Emergency medical services crews were called and life-saving measures were attempted at the scene. Lupe was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
No one else was injured during the incident.
During the investigation, DCI collected and determined Lupe was in possession of a 177 caliber Crosman Pellet Gun, model 357.
State officials say the incident was captured on body cameras.
Deputy Vande Hei remains on administrative leave.
The incident remains under investigation.
Court records show Lupe had pending criminal cases in two counties. In Shawano County, he was due back in court next week on a fraud against a financial institution charge. In Calumet County, he faced a dozen charges, including drug possession and lewd behavior.
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