ST. CROIX COUNTY -- A suspect is in custody following a stabbing incident on Apple River in Somerset, WI which left a male teenager deceased and at least 4 others injured.
On July 30, 2022, the St. Croix Emergency Communication Center received a call Shortly before 4p reporting that several people had been stabbed on the Apple River, while recreational tubing, in Somerset Township, St. Croix County, WI.
According to a press release from the St. Croix Sheriff’s Office, Deputies who arrived on the scene located 5 people with stab wounds to their mid-sections and provided medical care to the stabbing victims.
The suspect had left the scene and was presumed to still be armed with a knife. Multiple emergency service providers responded to the scene to render aid, as well as to assist in the search for the suspect.
All five stabbing victims were transported from the scene to local hospitals. Two of the victims were flown to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN, and two were taken by ambulance to Regions Hospital.
The fifth victim, a 17-year-old male, from Stillwater, MN, was transported by ambulance to Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Mn, where he was pronounced deceased.
Law Enforcement located the suspect at the Village Park in Somerset, WI, which is the exit point for tubers. The press release states that several witnesses alerted law enforcement to the suspect’s location, and he was taken into custody without incident.
The suspect, a 52-year-old male from Prior Lake, MN, is being held at the St. Croix County Jail. His name is being withheld pending formal charges.
Names of the other victims are being withheld at this time, however, they are reported to be in stable condition, ranging from serious to critical injuries to their torso/chest areas.
The surviving victims included a 20 yr old male from Luck, WI; a 22 yr old male from Luck, WI; a 24 yr old female from Burnsville, MN; and a 22 yr old male from Elk River, MN.
The St. Croix Sheriff’s Office states that this is an ongoing investigation and investigators are still attempting to interview witnesses and victims as to the sequence of events, and determine a motive for the stabbings.
If anyone captured video of the stabbing incident should contact Investigator John Shilts at 715-381-4319 or by e-mail: john.shiltsjr@sccwi.gov.
The St. Croix Sheriff’s Office press release expressed the Sheriff’s Office's gratitude to the agencies and citizens that responded to assist with this traumatic incident and stepped in to provide care and comfort to the victims.
Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Last Update: Jul 31, 2022 6:26 pm CDT
