BLANCHARDVILLE — A domestic incident involving a mental health crisis turned into a nearly 16-hour manhunt.
Paul Michael Anderson, 35, allegedly fired a gun in the range of a family member during the early evening hours of Wednesday, May 17. Authorities were called and he fled. No one was injured in the initial discharge of the firearm.
Authorities would search for him all night, and finally, about 16 hours after the initial incident and after four hours of telephone negotiations, Anderson was safely taken into custody.
“Anderson surrendered to deputies at his York Township residence and is in transport to the Green County Jail to be booked on tentative charges of 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Intentionally Pointing a Firearm, Disorderly Conduct while Armed and Disorderly Conduct While Armed,” Green County Sheriff Jeff Skatrud wrote in a press release. “Initial reports indicate that Anderson spent the night outdoors in the vicinity of his residence and showed no signs of injury. Green County Veterans Service personnel were instrumental in convincing Mr. Anderson to communicate with detectives.”
While executing a search warrant at the residence early Thursday morning and searching the exterior, a long gun and spent shell casing were collected outside by authorities. Anderson was not armed when he was taken into custody and no additional firearms were located.
At 6:55 p.m. on Wednesday night, Anderson allegedly fired his weapon while confronting a family member.
After 9-1-1 was called, a large contingent of law enforcement began searching for him in the wooded area in the vicinity of his home on Hay Hallow Road in the Town of York in northwestern Green County.
He was suspected of having a long gun with him, and deputies believed they had heard gun shots in the area after setting up a perimeter, the Green County Sheriff’s Office reported.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) later issued a Veteran At Risk Green Alert. The alert was canceled at 12:30 p.m. after he was found safe.
“Deputies responded to a veteran involved in a crisis situation holding a firearm. The subject later fled the area; last known to be on foot but does have access to vehicle. Phone contact and other technology have been unsuccessful in contacting or locating him,” the DOJ report said.
Green County Sheriff Jeff Skatrud had given residents in the Town of York a shelter-in-place order while the search was on. Deputies had presence in the area all night, however Anderson was not found before daylight. At 6:48 a.m. on May 18, Skatrud lifted the shelter-in-place order.
“Deputies have worked throughout the night in conducting searches, processing evidence and conducting numerous interviews,” Skatrud said in a press release. “After evaluating all of the information, we have a high degree of confidence that this incident was isolated, domestic related, alcohol related and that there is no threat to the public.”
Skatrud said his agency was replenishing manpower for Thursday in order to continue the search, and that the community could go about their business as usual and were encouraged to call 911 if they notice anything unusual in the area.
York Township is located on the western border of Green County, west of the Village of New Glarus and east of Blanchardville. Assisting agencies included New Glarus Police, Monroe Police, Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office deputies and personnel from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. Blanchardville and Green County EMS were staged in the area and Argyle Fire Department responded with equipment.