Columbia County, WI – A multi-county pursuit involving an armed kidnapping suspect ended in death after a crash and standoff Sunday afternoon.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 3:39 p.m. when authorities were alerted to a pursuit entering the county from Dane County involving a truck tied to an alleged kidnapping. Officials said the suspect was reportedly armed and suicidal.
The pursuit moved onto Interstate 90/94/39 westbound from Highway 60. Deputies said the suspect allegedly drove the wrong way in eastbound lanes near the CTH CS interchange and into a construction zone, where heavy rain reduced visibility. The suspect vehicle struck another motorist near mile marker 110.4 in the Town of Caledonia.
Authorities said the vehicle later left the roadway and became disabled. The suspect fled on foot into a marshy wooded area west of the interstate, where multiple agencies established a perimeter. Drones and K-9 units were used to track the suspect, who was reportedly armed with a handgun.
After approximately 2.5 hours, officials said the suspect allegedly shot himself. Deputies rendered aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. He is identified only as a 45-year-old male pending notification of next of kin.
One deputy sustained a minor arm injury and was treated at a hospital. Highway 78 in the Town of Caledonia was closed for about six hours during the incident.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from multiple agencies.
