Wisconsin authorities investigating complex, multi-state crime spree that ended with three dead, including a 13-year-old
ALBION, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities in Iowa and Wisconsin are investigating a very complex crime scene that left three individuals dead on Wednesday night.
The incident started in La Motte, Iowa, where deputies with the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 9800 block of Haxbylane Road for a report of an unresponsive person.
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Upon arriving on the scene, deputies located a female deceased. A preliminary investigation revealed there was foul play in her death. The woman also cared for two children, a 13-year-old girl and a five-month-old, both of whom were not located at the residence.
A short time later, the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office says a person of interest, later identified as 38-year-old Alexander Grunke from Middleton, Wisconsin, fled to Wisconsin with the children and dropped off the five-month-old child at a residence in Dunn County.
Local authorities believe that Grunke had some connection with the residence, but that has not been confirmed at this time.
Grunke and the 13-year-old girl quickly left the scene but were found a short time later on the road. Local authorities attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Grunke reportedly took off, and a vehicle pursuit ensued.
During the chase, Grunke and the girl allegedly shot at law enforcement. Grunke eventually came to a stop in the town of Albion after authorities successfully deployed a tire-deflation device.
Grunke and the 13-year-old girl went separate ways after the crash, with the girl fleeing into a wooded area. Using advanced technology, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office was able to get in contact with the girl, but she was found unresponsive.
Life-saving measures were initiated by emergency service personnel but to no avail, and she died on the scene.
As for Grunke, he fled into a neighborhood and reportedly fired several rounds into a house on Ramsey Road in the town of Albion before breaking in and barricading himself in the basement of the residence.
A family was home at the time break-in, and Dane County Sheriff’s deputies courageously rushed in and evacuated the family before any harm was caused.
“The courageous acts of the deputies and the courage of the family is the reason why they were able to be removed from the house without further incident,” said the Dane County Sheriff’s Office during a press conference.
Authorities tried to get into contact with Grunke, but all attempts were unsuccessful. Deputies eventually found Grunke dead in the basement from an apparent suicide.
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the incident.
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“In situations like this, there are numerous crime scenes that have to be processed and analyzed so that we ensure a full and thorough investigation into this incident,” said the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.
No additional details were provided.
