Who was Alexander Grunke? Middleton Man and 13-year-old Girl Dead After Police Shootouts in Wisconsin

Alexander C. Grunke, 33, of Middleton, and a 13-year-old accomplice both died after a prolonged police pursuit in Dane County, Wisconsin.

The 13-year-old girl, whom authorities are refusing to name, was shot and killed during an exchange of fire with McFarland Police whilst in a Ford Escape operated by Grunke.

Grunke, meanwhile, shot and killed himself after being cornered in a home in Ramsey Road.

It started as a wellness check on a residence on Charles Lane in the town of Dunn.

Authorities received a call at 5;21 p.m. of a suspicious black Ford Escape after a man left a 5-month-old infant at the Charles Lane residence.

McFarland Police were the first agency to locate the Ford Escape, and they attempted to stop the vehicle.

The driver, later identified as Alexander C. Grunke, refused to stop, and a pursuit was initiated.

In southeastern Dane County, law enforcement successfully used tire deflation devices (road spikes) to disable the vehicle.

During the pursuit, Grunke and his female accomplice, the 13-year-old, fired several rounds from the Ford Escape at pursuing officers.

After the vehicle was disabled, both Grunke and his female passenger ran out carrying firearms. The girl was found deceased a short while later.

Grunke continued to run, forcing his way into the lower level of a home on Ramsey Road where a woman and her two children were inside. A team of law enforcement entered the house and were able to get the woman and her children out safely, but Grunke remained on the lower level of the house with his firearms.

After being surrounded by a massive law enforcement response including Special Teams from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, drones, a robot, K9s, and chemical munitions – he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound several hours later.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends who are grieving the loss of a loved one after last night’s events,” stated Sheriff Kalvin Barrett.

“I want to commend our deputies, detectives, and special teams for their resiliency to this dangerous and rapidly evolving apprehension of two armed individuals. There was communication and collaboration with numerous other state, county, and local law enforcement agencies in Dane and Rock County. We are grateful for their support and partnership.”

Authorities later learned that Grunke may have committed a homicide in Dubuque, Iowa.

The 13-year-old girl with him and the infant left in the Charles Lane residence were both children of the victim.

The Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the homicide.

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