Suspect has been charged with Homicide by Negligent Handling of a Dangerous Weapon
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Police Department issued a press release Wednesday morning, Jan. 19, 2022, confirming that emergency services were dispatched to a residence in the City of Merrill at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18. The call came in as an accidental discharge of a firearm.
“Upon arrival, a female victim was found to be unresponsive, and lifesaving measures were initiated,” Police Chief Corey Bennett said in the release. “She was transported to Aspirus Merrill Hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.”
“A suspect was initially taken into custody on scene and has preliminarily been incarcerated for Homicide by Negligent Handling of a Dangerous Weapon and Felon in Possession of a Firearm,” the release stated.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Scene Response unit is assisting with the investigation. Both the crime scene and the investigation are still considered active.
Names of the victim and the suspect have not yet been released.
More information will be released when it becomes available.