Date: February 9, 2021
Case: Update to Town of Kewaskum Homicide
Authority: Detective Lieutenant Tim Kemps
Today,
the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal
Investigations, identified the individual killed during a shootout with a
Washington County deputy on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, as 30-year-old
Nicholas S. Pingel of West Bend. The sheriff’s office confirmed that
Nicholas Scott Pingel is the lone suspect involved in the crime spree
immediately leading up to the officer-involved shooting that ended the
threat to the community that day.
Detectives from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the West
Bend Police Department, have been diligently working to establish the
suspect’s pattern of behavior and whereabouts for the week leading up to
the tragic sequence of events on Forest View Rd.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following information concerning that aspect of the investigation.
Nicholas S. Pingel has had multiple contacts with area law
enforcement agencies; contacts with the Washington County Sheriff’s
Office date back to 2010 for a variety of minor investigations, civil
forfeitures as well as misdemeanor and felony arrests. From 2014 to
2016 Pingel was arrested for multiple burglaries and was ultimately sent
to prison. He has spent much of the past four years incarcerated in
the state prison system. He was released from prison on December 1st,
2020, and was placed on extended supervision with the Wisconsin
Department of Corrections.
At the time of his death, he had one pending misdemeanor criminal
case in Washington County for battery and disorderly conduct as a result
of a bar fight that occurred on December 12th of last year in the City
of West Bend. He was released from the Washington County Jail on
December 15th after the probation hold was lifted. That was the last
negative local law enforcement encounter with Pingel until the deadly
force encounter. His residence at the time of his death was 150 N Main
Street #8 in the City of West Bend which is Department of Corrections
owned housing.
Interviews with immediate family members and associates suggest he
struggled with substantial mental health issues for at least the past
decade and was completely disconnected from direct family members for
the week preceding the incident. His behavior became increasingly
erratic and Pingel displayed signs of extreme paranoia in the weeks
leading up to his murderous crime spree. It’s believed Pingel stopped
taking his medication which helped him cope with his serious mental
illness.
Investigators, through interviews with known associates, determined
Pingel stayed at an acquaintances apartment in the central portion of
the City of West Bend starting on Friday, January 29th. Due to his
erratic, but non-threatening behavior, he was asked to leave the
apartment the following day. Evidence suggests he may have been
covertly staying overnight in the common basement area of that apartment
for the nights leading up to Wednesday morning.
Interviews also suggest that drug use could be a contributing factor
to his erratic behavior as well. Preliminary toxicology tests showed the
presence of marijuana. Further, more comprehensive toxicology results
are pending.
Through a neighborhood canvas of the northeastern quadrant of the
City of West Bend, investigators obtained video footage of Pingel alone
about ½ mile from the area the car was initially stolen on Marcia Ave.
in the City of West Bend. Based upon this information, there is
conclusive evidence that he acted alone.
Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis released the following
statement, “As a community and an agency, we continue to try and process
the horrific events of last week that occurred at the hands of this
man. I understand the fear, pain, and anxiety that many in Washington
County are experiencing surrounding these events. Random violence is
rare in Washington County, people have the right to feel safe within
their homes, and these horrific crimes that terrorized so many called
into question that very right. The victims, their families, and this
community deserve answers to better understand what could cause someone
to act out in such a violent manner, this is why we are releasing the
information today. We can provide some clarity, unfortunately, a lot of
questions remain unanswered. We as an agency stand with and mourn
alongside those affected by this horrific tragedy, we are doing our part
to help the community begin to heal. We are grateful for the
outpouring of support for the victims and our agency from the people of
Washington County. Finally, I ask that you join me in keeping those
affected by the events of February 3rd in your thoughts and prayers as
we start the healing process.”