The video below contains bodycam footage showing the shooting that led to the line-of-duty death of Firefighter Lundgaard. As such, be advised that this footage may be upsetting to some viewers.
The decision to run news like the below is not one we take lightly, and we do so because we believe it has value to our fire service audience in capturing the sort of situation fire departments hope never to face. We feel it is important even as it is difficult to observe.
Since the tragedy of Appleton Fire Department Firefighter Mitchell Lundgaard’s death, a Wisconsin attorney who regularly defends law enforcement officers and municipalities has begun recommending that officers take steps to better protect responders and the patient before naloxone is administered. Read more here.
By News Staff
APPLETON, Wis. — The Appleton Police Department released bodycam footage of the gunfight last month that left one firefighter dead and two others wounded, including a police officer.
On May 16, APD Officer Paul Christensen and Sergeant Christopher Biese exchanged gunfire with a man who paramedics had initially been called to treat for an overdose, the Associated Press reported. The situation escalated into a shootout, with the suspect, Ruben Houston, using a female bystander as a human shield.
Appleton Fire Department Firefighter Mitchell Lundgaard was killed in the crossfire, and Houston later died from his injuries.
In addition to the bodycam footage released, the Outagamie County District Attorney announced that the two officers involved in the incident were justified to shoot Ruben Houston, according to ABC 7.