W. Wis. man sets off explosion in apartment, is killed

A man threatening to blow up others in his western Wisconsin apartment complex set off an explosion and was killed Sunday, authorities said.

The building in the 1000 block of S. Main Street in Rice Lake had been evacuated late Sunday before the blast, according to police.

The suspect, 44-year-old Joseph Zunker, was dead at the scene, police said Monday. Flying debris slightly injured one police officer, and one resident suffered minor injuries while leaving the building.

Zunker called 911 shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday and said he had a bomb, police said. Officers who arrived heard yelling from inside his apartment and threats to blow up everyone in the building. The complex was evacuated of 14 residents.

Officers saw Zunker "igniting a fire, and the explosion occurred," a statement from police read.

Flames spread throughout the building, and authorities deemed it "a complete loss," the statement continued. Zunker's body was found in his apartment.

Zunker had been a registered sex offender since 2005, according to state records. He was convicted in 2002 of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482