MENASHA, WI (WTAQ) – Police say that everyone involved, including a child, are safe following a weapons call in Menasha on Wednesday.
Shortly before midnight, police responded to the 800 block of Fifth St. after a child’s mother reported the child’s father was acting upset and said he was going to arm himself.
Arriving officers say the man continued to display erratic behavior.
“He made certain comments over the course of brief contact with the initial officers on scene,” explains Officer Nick Oleszak, with Menasha PD. “Indicating that he wanted to shoot it out with officers.”
Police say that at no time did the man make threats to the child.
Several streets in Menasha, which have since re-opened, were closed Wednesday morning while the Winnebago County SWAT team was called to the scene and made contact with the man.
The man eventually placed the child in an open window for officers to bring to safety and shortly afterward peacefully surrendered, according to police.
No injuries were reported and the man was taken to a mental facility to be evaluated and the child was taken to the hospital to be checked out.
“I can’t emphasize enough, the outstanding performance by the Winnebago County SWAT Team,” says Officer Oleszak. “Couldn’t have come to a better solution.”
Officers say it is still unclear whether the man was armed or not and they will be searching the home.
“We don’t know if there was a firearm involved in the situation,” he says.
That information, along with what provoked the incident, will be under investigation going forward.
“Follow-up will consist of continuing to interview the parties involved [and] medical for the child involved, who was also taken to the hospital,” he explains.
