The man shot to death by police Saturday at his home in New Richmond, Wis., was a Minnesota corrections officer, authorities said.
Tyler Abel, 42, had been threatening his family and officers who were called to his house when he emerged with a rifle in his hands, officers said. He was shot by a St. Croix County sheriff's deputy and a New Richmond police officer, according to police. He died at the scene. No one else was injured.
"I'd like to extend my deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family of corrections officer Tyler Abel, whose death this weekend is both tragic and troubling," wrote Corrections Department Commissioner Paul Schnell in a statement issued Monday.
Abel was hired in April of last year and had worked at Stillwater prison. "He was well-liked and highly regarded by many staff," Schnell wrote.
Abel worked in manufacturing for some 20 years before making the job switch, according to Schnell. Abel's Facebook page lists him as a quality engineer for SMC Ltd. in Somerset, Wis. He also said he was a Hudson High School graduate.
Abel overcame a serious illness a few years ago when he was rushed to the hospital on Christmas Day 2019 with lung complications, according to a GoFundMe appeal. "As of now, there is not a clear answer as to what and how this has to be treated," the appeal said. It was about three weeks before he returned home, according to the fundraiser. The GoFundMe page said Abel and his wife, Kelly, have two young sons.
A photo on his wife's Facebook page shows two apparent family members holding what appear to be AR-style rifles.
On Saturday, a woman called St. Croix County emergency responders to say her husband was "out of control" and threatening to "bring his AR out," according to the sheriff.
