Attempted Homicide - Town of Tainter

On Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 10:42 PM the Dunn County E-911 Center received a report of an adult male that had sustained a gunshot wound. The incident occurred in the 5900 block of Cty Rd D in Tainter Township.

The victim was transported by ambulance to Mayo-Eau Claire. The victim sustained one gunshot wound and was conscious during transport.

The victim that sustained a gunshot wound to his leg was identified as Bruce R. Sundstrom, age 48 of rural Colfax. The victim is expected to recover from the injury sustained.

The victim and the suspects in this incident are acquaintances.

The maroon Jeep that was one of the vehicles reported to have left the scene after the shooting was recovered near Boyceville, WI this morning. This vehicle had been stolen from Hudson, WI.

The suspects, Goplen and Blank, have not yet been taken into custody.

On May 30th, 2018 the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office engaged in a high speed pursuit of a red Volkswagen Jetta stolen out of Woodbury Minnesota. This chase extended into Pepin County where the chase was discontinued. The suspected operator and passenger were Golpin and Blank who are wanted in our attempted homicide.

On May 31st the Barron County Sheriff’s Office received information on the location of the suspects being observed at the Dollar General Store in Rice Lake. Upon arrival at the business the red Jetta fled the scene with a unknown number of occupants. The Jetta was lost during the chase but reacquired returning to the Dollar General. At this time both suspects were taken into custody. Both subjects are currently being held at the Dunn County Jail.

In Custody:

Shawn Harris Goplen, Male/white, age 34, 5’11”, 300 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes, of Red Wing, MN

Kari Lynn Blank, Female/white, age 36, 5’5”, 190 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes, of Ellsworth, WI

Fatal Motorcycle Crash - Town of Dunn

On Saturday, May 19, 2018 about 4:30 AM the Dunn County E-911 Center received a report of missing motorcyclist. The victim was not at his residence and his motorcycle was gone.

At 5:05 AM the Dunn County E-911 Center received a report of a motorcycle crash on CTH C at 290th Ave in the township Dunn. It was reported that the lone occupant was unconscious. Dunn County Sheriff’s Deputies, Menomonie Fire and Rescue, and Dunn County First Responders were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival at the scene deputies found a 2009 Harley Davidson Motorcycle was traveling on eastbound CTH C. The driver was ejected from the motorcycle after entering the ditch. The driver a 25 YOA male from rural Menomonie was found to be unconscious and not breathing. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the Dunn County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The operator was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and speed appears to be a factor in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation by deputies from the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office and the Dunn County Medical Examiner’s Office.

No further information will be released at this time pending notification of family members.

The correct location should be CTH C at 290th Ave not Street.

The driver was identified as Levi Thatcher, 25 YOA of rural Menomonie.

Fatal Crash - Town of Grant

On Friday May 11, 2018 about 3:37 PM the Dunn County E-911 Center received a report of single vehicle rollover on CTH M north of 1130th Ave in the Town of Grant. Dunn County Sheriff’s Deputies, Wisconsin State Patrol, Colfax Fire, Sand Creek Fire, Colfax Rescue, and Dunn County First Responders were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival at the scene deputies found a 2000 GMC Sonoma was traveling north on CTH M had went onto the shoulder then over corrected and rolled multiple times. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and found to be unconscious and not breathing. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by the Dunn County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Review of the scene showed that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash

The crash remains under investigation by deputies from the Dunn County Sheriff’s Office, the WI State Patrol and the Dunn County Medical Examiner’s Office.

No further information will be released at this time pending notification of family members.

The driver and lone occupant of the vehicle that was killed on May 11, 2018 was Braden Lemler 16 YOA from Sand Creek.