Tim Ryan tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Two men were in custody and a third was being sought Friday afternoon in connection with a high-speed chase on the Menominee Reservation on Thursday that culminated in shots being fired at a police officer.
The officer was not injured in the incident that started at about 11:30 p.m. in Keshena.
Sgt. Basil Okimosh was on patrol Thursday night when he spotted a vehicle traveling through downtown Keshena at a high rate of speed, Menominee Tribal Police Chief Mark Waukau said.
Okimosh attempted to pull the vehicle over, but instead “it took off flying,” Waukau said.
A high-speed pursuit ensued along County Road VV until the vehicle reached a dirt road about three miles outside of Keshena and turned into the woods.
The chase continued for another couple of miles, winding through back roads in the woods until the vehicle hit a patch of mud and got stuck.
Three men exited the vehicle and fled on foot. One of the suspects fired at Okimosh as he was getting out of his squad.
“Four shots were fired,” Waukau said.
The Shawano County Sheriff’s Department K9 unit was brought in to assist the search for the suspects, but wet conditions from rain earlier in the day hampered efforts to pick up a scent, Waukau said.
Deputy Chief Richard Nacotee said the suspect vehicle was impounded and registration was checked to identify the owner, which led to the identification of persons of interest in the case and two arrests Friday afternoon.
A third suspect had also been identified, but was still at large.
Waukau said there is no danger to the community.
The incident is still under investigation.