APPLETON, Wis. — The firefighter killed after a shooting in downtown Appleton on Wednesday has been identified as Firefighter Mitch Lundgaard. Appleton Fire says Lundgaard was married with three young children. Lundgaard began his career with the Appleton Fire Department in 2005.
According to a Facebook post from Appleton Fire Department, crews responded to the 100 block of E. Washington St. at around 5:30pm Wednesday to assist a 47-year-old man who was arriving on a bus from out of the area.
Appleton Fire says the initial report stated the man was having a medical emergency. The first responders provided initial medical assistance to the male on the bus, who Appleton Police say was having a seizure. Appleton Fire says the man, believed to be from the Wausau area, eventually left the bus and started walking towards the library.
Appleton Police say at some point, the man displayed a handgun. Police say shots were exchanged between the man and police officers.
Firefighter Lundgaard was struck by gunfire along with a female bystander, and an Appleton Police Officer. The police officer was released from the hospital earlier today. The female is in stable condition. The 47-year-old man was transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.
The investigation is being led by the Green Bay Police Department.
With permission from the Lundgaard family, an official donation page has been set up in Mitch’s honor by the Appleton Fire Department:https://t.co/neo0ZKtXks
— Appleton Fire Dept. (@appletonfire) May 16, 2019
Donations by mail or in person can be addressed to:
Friends of the Appleton Fire Department
700 N. Drew St. Appleton, WI pic.twitter.com/jBfDq9lJhk
A funeral for Firefighter Lundgaard has been scheduled for Monday at Appleton Alliance Church. The exact time for the funeral has not yet been set.
