3 people, including 2 children, found dead in Middleton; 1 stable after being shot multiple times

Three people, including two elementary school students, were found dead in a Middleton apartment Sunday night and a man has been hospitalized after being shot multiple times, police and school officials reported Monday.

Police had yet to provide details about what they believe happened at the Lakeview Village apartment complex, although Middleton police Capt. Tyler Loether said the incident involved “homicidal violence” and the victims and the injured man knew each other. He said police have identified everyone involved in the incident and there is no danger to the public.

Police were waiting for the Dane County Medical Examiner to release the names and other information about the victims, but the Middleton-Cross Plains School District said early Monday afternoon that two Sauk Trail Elementary students were among the dead. A source with knowledge of the investigation but not authorized to discuss it said the victims were a boy in kindergarten and a girl in third grade.

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“We are heartbroken by this information and understand that this will affect our District community in many different ways,” the district said in a statement. “During this difficult time, we extend our deepest condolences to the impacted family, students and staff who were close to the victims. Their loss is immeasurable.”

Neighbors on Monday morning said a woman and two children lived in the apartment where the victims were found. Angelique Knight, who lives in the apartment complex, said her child went to school in the district with one of the children who lived in the apartment.

At about 7:40 p.m. Sunday, Middleton police officers were in the 6300 block of Maywood Avenue to check a property complaint unrelated to the homicide when, minutes later, a man exited a different residence saying he had been shot multiple times, Loether said.

The man was taken to a local hospital. His condition was not available, but Loether said he was stable.

When police entered the residence they found three bodies, Loether said.

At about 9:15 p.m. Sunday, Middleton police put out an advisory for the Maywood Avenue area that “Residents should shelter in place and stay away from windows until further notice. Others should avoid the area until further notice.”

Just over an hour later, police lifted the advisory and declared “there is no threat to the public.”

Knight and another resident, Marie, who declined to provide her last name, said they’d lived in the Lakeview Village complex for many years and generally found it safe.

“I’ve been over here three years and we’ve never had nothing like this happen,” Knight said.

Marie said she’d lived in the complex for five or six years and was at home at the time of the deaths but didn’t hear anything. There are “typical shenanigans” in the complex, she said, meaning disturbances, but nothing as serious as what happened Sunday.

“I want to raise my kids just like you want to raise yours in a safe neighborhood,” she said. “This is the first to that extent,” she said of the murders.

Loether said authorities could have more information to release later in the week.

The school district’s statement said it “is available to provide any support needed.”

“We understand that this will be a long and challenging road for our District community,” it said. “Resources will continue to be available as long as they are needed. Together, we will find the strength to heal and support one another during this difficult time.”

Middleton police were assisted by Middleton EMS, Middleton Fire Department, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Dane County Emergency Management, Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office, Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Scene Response Unit, and investigators from the Fitchburg and Sun Prairie police departments.

Police ask that anyone with information on the incident contact them at 608-824-7300 or Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or P3Tips.com. Information can be shared anonymously. Tipsters who provide information that leads to an arrest also may qualify for a monetary reward.

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