UPDATE: K-9 Trace Helps Find Stabbing Victim in Sawyer County

Sawyer County Sheriff Doug Mrotek says that the subject previously being sought has been found.

DrydenWire.com published earlier today that authorities were looking for a subject near State Hwy 77 and Wheeler Rd. in Sawyer County. Sheriff Mrotek issued the following press release this evening.

(Press Release) -- On 08/09/18 at 2:50 p.m., the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received a 911 call reporting that an adult male was stabbed during a fight with another adult male outside a residence on located STH 77 near Wheeler Road, in the Town of Hayward. The caller also reported that the male victim fled the scene on foot. Sawyer County Deputies responded to the scene.

After arriving at the scene, Deputies took the adult male suspect into custody. Deputies conducted a search of the area around the residence in an attempt to locate the victim. Assisting with the search for the victim were Wisconsin DNR Wardens and City of Hayward Police Department Officers. The Wisconsin State Patrol assisted in the search with an airplane. Sawyer County Search & Rescue also assisted with personnel and a K9 search dog. The Sheriff’s Office sent out a notice via the NIXLE Notification System asking for the public’s assistance about the victim’s possible whereabouts.

At about 6:55 p.m. the Communications Center received a citizen tip that a male subject was seen walking on STH 77 near Airport Road.

Deputies responded to that area and with the assistance of Sawyer County Search & Rescue and Sawyer County K9 Trace, the male victim was located hiding in a swampy area off Airport Road. The male victim was assessed at the scene by Sawyer County EMTs and was then transported to the Hayward Area Memorial Hospital by Sawyer County Ambulance with an injury to his elbow.

The male suspect has been identified as Anthony J. Smart, age 38. You are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The name of the male victim is not being released at this time. This incident remains under investigation by the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office.