Loyal Standoff – A Recap

Officer Injured, Suspect Killed in Standoff

Loyal, WI (OnFocus) A suspect is dead after a police standoff which began early Thursday afternoon and continued into Friday morning.

Robert Domine, 77, who fled on foot into a wooded area at CTH Z and Sherwood Road after a police chase around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, was injured after firing on officers and later succumbed to his injuries on scene.

Domine had fired on law enforcement during the standoff and struck a Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy who sustained non life-threatening injuries. As the standoff continued, law enforcement deployed gas into Domine’s residence. The suspect fired on entering officers and was injured when they returned fire.

Per department policy, the shooting officer, a Marathon County Sheriff’s Deputy, was placed on paid administrative leave.

Law enforcement from Loyal Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, and Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office were engaged in the standoff.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has taken over the investigation, as is standard in cases of officer-involved shootings. It is assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office, and Loyal Police Department.

According to an initial Loyal Police Department release, on Wednesday Domine was spotted by officers who were aware he had a valid body only warrant from Taylor County.

Court records show Domine faced a misdemeanor charge in Taylor County for false info given in a handgun purchase. On July 26, the court ordered him to surrender his firearms by 2 p.m. the next day to the Clark County Sheriff’s Department. He was also not allowed to leave the state without prior notice and written approval from the Court, and could not possess any firearms.

Domine did not appear in court for his initial appearance on August 20. A body only warrant was issued followed by a bench warrant authorizing his arrest.

After police attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Domine accelerated out of the city with officers in pursuit with assistance from Clark County Sheriff’s Department.

Officers believe Domine displayed a handgun out the driver’s side window during the chase. The chase ended when the suspect drove into a field near the intersection of Sherwood Road and CTH Z and became stuck. Officers lost sight of him when he ran into a marsh and wooded area.

Efforts to locate Domine were unsuccessful and law enforcement believed he was potentially dangerous to the public. On Thursday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office received a call that Domine was at his Loyal residence. Officers established a perimeter and confirmed he was home after making phone contact with the suspect. Several negotiators were continually unsuccessful in getting him to come outside.

After two hours, gas was deployed in the residence. The Marathon County Bomb Squad sent its robot in, but it could not go up the stairs. When officers attempted to enter through the garage door, two gunshots were heard coming from the residence.

The DCI is continuing to investigate the incident and will turn over investigative reports to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office after the investigation concludes.

The Latest from Loyal – Shots Fired, Officer Transported to Hospital

Family of Robert Domine Thanks Community