Two suspects, accused of armed robbery, shooting and intentional homicide, were arrested in Wisconsin as they were attempting to flee in a U-Haul.
The suspects were arrested after a dramatic chase involving multiple agencies including the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office, Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and the Omro Police Department and the blocking of Interstate 41 ramps, near Oshkosh, about 85 miles north of Milwaukee, the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
Suspects involved in altercation, shooting
The chase occurred as the accused were attempting to flee after being involved in an altercation and shooting of a 65-year-old man while purchasing a car from him in Omro, about 10 miles west of Oshkosh, the Omro Police Department said in a news release.
Authorities said the victim had placed an ad on Facebook Marketplace to sell a car. The two suspects had responded to the ad and when they arrived at the victim's location, an altercation ensued during which one of the suspects produced a firearm.
During the struggle over the firearm, the victim sustained a gunshot wound and other injuries following which the suspects fled the scene in the U-Haul.
"They were quickly located by law enforcement, and a multi-jurisdictional chase ensued," Omro police said. "The chase ended in the City of Fond du Lac, and the two suspects were taken into custody."
The 65-year-old victim, meanwhile, was transported to a local hospital and his injuries are considered to be non-life threatening.
Dashcam footage records chase
Dashcam footage captured and shared by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office shows police vehicles chase the U-Haul being driven by one of the suspects and eventually forcing the backtracking vehicle towards the side of the road.
'Pursuit of a U-Haul truck'
Deputies with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office were alerted of the incident and the "pursuit of a U-Haul box truck" around 7:26 p.m. Monday, the sheriff's office said.
Soon after the alert, authorities and police vehicles began positioning themselves along the I-41 corridor, the sheriff's office said, and "officers began blocking off ramps into their respective jurisdictions in an attempt to keep the chase confined to the interstate."
A tire deflation device was also deployed but that did not deter the suspects, who continued to flee in their vehicle. A police squad followed the U-Haul, dodging "tire debris coming off the rims as the flattened tires shredded apart," the sheriff's office said.
"A short time later the U-Haul was driving on nothing but rims after all tires had been flattened," the sheriff's office said.
The suspects continued to elude the police, with the driver putting the U-Haul in reverse as it came face-to-face with a police vehicle.
"The K9 deputy, finding himself suddenly nose to nose with the shooting suspects and their vehicle, knew he had to end this pursuit," the sheriff's office said. "He first bumped the U-Haul, trying to convince them to surrender, but as the driver continued trying to navigate the intersection in reverse, the deputy did what he had to do to end this chase and pushed the suspect vehicle through the intersection, spun it sideways, and then continued pushing the U-Haul until it was disabled off the road."
Officers, troopers and deputies then surrounded the vehicle and the "suspects finally surrendered and were taken into custody."
A loaded firearm was recovered from inside the U-Haul, the sheriff's office said.
Suspects arrested and charged
The two suspects were identified as Omah A. Brown, 45, from Milwaukee and Shakierra B. Ray, 27, from Green Bay. Brown was arrested for attempted intentional homicide in the first degree, attempted robbery with the use of force, fleeing an officer, possessing a firearm, motor vehicle theft, and receiving stolen property.
Ray, meanwhile, was arrested for being a party in the intentional homicide attempt, attempted robbery with the use of force, motor vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, and possession of cocaine.
The Omro Police Department said that other law enforcement jurisdictions involved in the chase will likely have their own charges.
Jail records, viewed by USA TODAY Wednesday, show the two suspects are in custody of the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office said that the two have not yet been presented in court.
Authorities have requested anyone with information on the case to contact Detective Jim Megna at 920-236-7326.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.
