Waushara County Officer Involved Shooting Update

WAUTOMA, Wis. (WAUH) – The Wisconsin Department of Justice has released more details about the officer-involved fatal shooting on Oct. 16 in Waushara County.

A Sheriff’s Deputy and State Trooper responded Thursday afternoon to a domestic violence call at a residence near the intersection of State Road 73 and County Road O in the town of Wautoma. 51-year-old Timothy Lehman was standing outside and retreated into the residence.

He fired a weapon at the deputy, who proceeded to returned fire. Lehman barricaded himself inside. There were negotiations and tactical teams were brought in from Portage County and Stevens Point/Plover to assist. Officers heard gunshots from inside. Further attempts at communication went unanswered.

When officers entered the residence, they found Lehman dead inside. Investigators say he likely died of gunshot wounds suffered when Deputy Alex Midthun returned Lehman’s fire. Midthun has four-and-a-half years of experience with the Waushara County Sheriff’s Office and has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation into the shooting.

At the investigation’s conclusion the Division of Criminal Investigation will turn over the investigative reports to the Waushara County District Attorney’s Office.