Gunshots heard in Elk Mound lead to high speed chase and arrest
By Dunn County News Staff
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 5:35 PM CDT
Gunshots rang out in the village of Elk Mound late Tuesday night.
Seconds later, at 11:40 p.m., the Dunn County E-911 Center received a call from Elk Mound police chief Randy Bartelt who reported hearing shots fired from a building across the street from his home in Elk Mound. Several minutes later, the dispatch center received more calls reporting the same sounds.
Within minutes, an Elk Mound police officer arrived on scene at 206 Jersey Lane. As deputies from the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department arrived at the location, more gunshots were heard.
According to a press release issued by Sheriff Dennis Smith Wednesday morning, the Menomonie Police Department with its SWAT team, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Eau Claire County SWAT team — with its armored vehicle — were called in for assistance.
As help arrived, an effort was made to secure the neighborhood “as safely possible.” Dunn County also dispatched the county’s mobile command vehicle to provide a coordination center for the situation.
Smith identified the perpetrator as William Cecil Clark, 27. The sheriff said Clark indiscriminately fired about 12 rounds from a high-powered rifle. Clark, who was alone in the apartment, left at one point and then returned. Neighbors reported hearing him knocking loudly on other apartment doors.
Smith noted that neighbors were advised not to leave their homes due to the volatile situation, but to remain indoors and to lay low, away from the source of the gunshots.
Shortly after 2 a.m., Clark emerged again from his residence, this time without his weapon. He got into his vehicle and left the scene at a high rate of speed, heading eastbound on State Highway 12.
Smith and a deputy pursued the vehicle until Clark stopped in the road, exited the vehicle and confronted the officers. Clark was reportedly belligerent and uncooperative during the confrontation, and a tazer was used to subdue him.
Clark was transported to the Dunn County Jail. Following a conversation that took place and before booking him into the jail, however, he was transported to a local hospital for minor cuts to his hand and for observation.
Clark has been cited for resisting arrest, second degree reckless safety (a felony), criminal damage to property and going armed while intoxicated.
Upon his release from the hospital, he will be returned to the Dunn County Jail and reports will be forwarded to the Dunn County District Attorney’s office, accompanied by a request for criminal charges.
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