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Not much else to go on here, but I thought any updates would be apreciated.
Not much else to go on here, but I thought any updates would be apreciated.
Search still on for shooting suspects
By Daily News staff
Lincoln County authorities have released a sketch of a man they suspect was involved in the shooting of a Rhinelander man April 19.
Investigators have determined through the statements of the victim, John “Homer” Van Meter, that “a running gun battle” took place in the woods off of County Highway O and Poplar Road.
According to Van Meter, a logger, a black SUV pulled up to his work site at approximately noon on April 19 and a white male, described as short with blond hair, exited the vehicle and began shooting.
Authorities say Van Meter told them he hid behind his truck during the first volley of fire but eventually retrieved his own pistol and returned fire.
Van Meter said he believes he may have temporarily incapacitated the first assailant, who authorities believe was a passenger in the SUV, but was then confronted by the driver.
The driver, a taller man with dark hair, exited the vehicle with a long rifle and started shooting, Van Meter said.
Van Meter returned fire and believes he struck the driver of the SUV during the exchange but the driver was able to get back to the SUV, climb in and drive off. Van Meter then noticed that the passenger was running through the woods and gave chase, while exchanging gun fire with the man, until he lost sight of him. It was during this gun battle that Van Meter says he suffered wounds to his torso.
The sketch released this week is of the passenger. He is described as a white male in his early to mid 20's with short blond hair.
Authorities have said they do not believe Van Meter happened upon any illegal activity which precipitated the shooting. However, a motive for the shooting has not yet been determined.
Anyone with information about the shooting or who recognizes the man in the sketch is encouraged to call the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department at 453-5747 or 536-6272.