• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Update: Investigation in fatal shooting of inmate by sheriff's deputy at Lakeland Medical Center

Photo

Alfredo E. Villarreal, identified as the inmate shot and killed Jan. 21, 2013 by a Walworth County sheriff's deputy during an altercation at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center in Elkhorn.

More details on this story are available in Wednesday's Gazette, or check back online at WalworthCountyToday.com after 4 p.m. today.

TOWN OF GENEVA -- The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office is investigating the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old inmate by a Walworth County sheriff's deputy at Aurora Lakeland Medical Center Monday. The inmate was shot after he attacked the deputy while trying to escape custody, according to a news release from the Walworth County Sheriff's Office.

Alfredo Emilio Villarreal, 18, died Monday at the hospital, according to the news release.

Villarreal was in custody at the Walworth County Jail on suspicion of violating parole, according to the release. He was at the hospital undergoing tests for a personal medical issue, according to the release.

At 6:47 p.m., Villarreal attacked the deputy in an attempt to escape, according to the release. He punched and kicked the deputy in the face multiple times. The deputy called for backup and deployed a Taser; Villarreal did not stop, according to the release.

Villareal tried to use a chair to break out of the window of the hospital room. When that didn't work, he attacked the deputy with the chair. The deputy shot and struck Villareal, according to the news release.

Adam Beeson, public relations manager for Aurora Healthcare, said the deputy was treated at Aurora Lakeland and released.

"It's been a difficult situation for the hospital and stressful for the staff," Beeson said.

Villarreal's family and friends were hoping for answers Tuesday afternoon. A story in the Gazette noted they were waiting at the Walworth County Sheriff's Office Tuesday, hoping to catch Walworth County Sheriff David Graves after a news conference.

Joseph Verdick of Elkhorn, whose girlfriend is Villarreal's sister, called Villarreal a "very, very good kid. He's made some mistakes, but who hasn't?"

Villarreal was a student at Rock RIver Charter School, but hadn't attended school since mid-December, according to school district records.

He was scheduled to go to trial next month in Walworth County on a charge of first-degree recklessly endangering safety in regards to a fight in Elkhorn last year, according to court records. Villarreal told police he had twice stabbed a man in the stomach, according to court documents.

The Waukesha County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident at the request of the Walworth County Sheriff's Office and Town of Geneva Police Department.

For a full story, read Wednesday's Gazette or check back at GazetteXtra.com.