Authorities Aren't Saying Who Fired Fatal Gunshots
Updated: 9:46 pm CDT July 21, 2010
David Douglas
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MCFARLAND, Wis. -- Authorities are releasing more details about a fatal standoff that occurred Tuesday night in McFarland.
Police said Scott Stevens, 47, died in a shootout at his McFarland home on Broadhead Street.
According to Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney, the first shots were fired by Stevens in the house. Mahoney said the shots were fired as a deputy tried to insert a small camera through a basement window to check on the man's condition.
Sheriff's officials aren't saying whether the fatal gunshot wounds were from Stevens or deputies.
"It is paramount that every deputy sheriff saves lives. That was our intent and our hope had been," Mahoney said.
For more than three hours, Dane County Sheriff's Office negotiators tried getting Stevens out of his home.
Police said Stevens was free on bond from other charges, and he was currently being investigated on suspicion of sexual assault.
Authorities said he didn't want to go back to jail.
"(He) indicated to his family and friends that he very well may be shooting this out with law enforcement," said Mahoney.
Stevens' daughter, Summer Spees, said she and her sister are frustrated with the Dane County Sheriff's Office. She said she wanted to help during negotiations but wasn't allowed.
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"I said, 'I'd really like to talk to my dad. If he could hear my voice or something, maybe it would help calm the situation or something.' The officer wouldn't let me," Spees said.
The sheriff said that involving family in such situations is out of the question.
"Very often it can have quite the opposite effect, particularly when we're dealing with a heated domestic violence component earlier in the afternoon," said Mahoney.
The sheriff said his deputies broke a window to place a camera in the room to check on Stevens, fearing he overdosed on prescription painkillers.
Officials said that's when Stevens opened fire and deputies, who were just feet away, fired back.
The Dane County Coroner's Office said Stevens suffered multiple gunshot wounds resulting in his death.
"This isn't like my dad. I'm so completely in shock right now. I haven't even started crying yet. I'm in shock. I can't believe it," said Spees.
McFarland police said everything started Tuesday morning after Stevens' mother was injured when her car began rolling down the driveway.
While investigating that crash, they determined Stevens and his stepfather were fighting, police said.
McFarland police said that led to the attempted arrest on a domestic-related disorderly conduct charge, which resulted in the standoff.
Thirteen deputies involved in the incident are currently on administrative leave while the investigation continues, which is standard procedure, WISC-TV reported.
The case will also be forwarded to the Dane County district attorney.
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