MONROE — The Green County Coroner’s Office has released the name of a suspect who died of a gunshot wound at the end of a high-speed chase that began in Dubuque, ran through Lafayette County, and ended in Browntown on Oct. 22.
The incident also involved a Lafayette County deputy firing at the suspect’s car. The man who died — apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound — was Samuel Santiago, 19, of Milwaukee. According to the coroner’s office statement a forensic examination was completed on Oct 24.
“Preliminary results of the examination support Samuel Santiago died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” said the statement. “Additional testing is underway at this time.”
In addition to the coroner’s office, Santiago’s death remains under investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
The ordeal started in this area when a Lafayette County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a cross-county vehicle pursuit that began in Grant County following an incident that occurred in Dubuque, Iowa.
At approximately 2:34 p.m., the deputy deployed a spike strip, and the vehicle drove in the direction of the deputy, who discharged their firearm while in Lafayette County. The vehicle later crashed in Green County, where the driver fled on foot. As law enforcement was searching for the subject, a gunshot was heard and the individual was found deceased near State Highway 11, west of County M. First responders administered first aid, but Santiago died. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
The DOJ is investigating involving the officer’s role specifically, as is standard whenever a law enforcement officer in Wisconsin discharges a firearm. No law enforcement personnel or citizens were injured during the incident. The deputy’s name has not been released.
“The involved Deputy from the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office has been placed on administrative leave, per department policy,” said the release.
The results of the investigation will be in the hands of local officials, DCI said in a statement, released shortly before the local coroner’s office released Santiago’s name. There are no other apparent court cases or felony arrest records in Wisconsin against the deceased suspect, according to court records.
“DCI is continuing to review evidence and determine the facts of this incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Lafayette County District Attorney when the investigation concludes,” the statement added.