Gunfire erupted in commercial building on Deming Way at about 10 a.m

Officers who responded to a Wednesday morning workplace shooting on Middleton's west side encountered gunfire and a chaotic scene, the police chief said in describing the eight minutes it took from the first 911 call to the end of the threat."Their quick actions -- the training worked and put a stop to this incident," police Chief Charles Foulke said of the officers. "I didn't think we'd be using (training for an active shooter) in Middleton, but we did today."The shooter died at University Hospital. His name was not released, but Foulke confirmed he lived in nearby Madison and was an employee of WTS Paradigm, a software company inside the complex on the 1800 block of Deming Way where the shooting took place. The motive wasn't immediately known. The chief said the shooter was heavily armed with a semiautomatic pistol and extra ammunition. Two Middleton officers and two Dane County deputies engaged the employee, but Foulke said he didn't know who took the shooter down. One of the victims in the shooting remained hospitalized Wednesday afternoon in critical condition. Two others were in serious condition, a hospital statement said. Foulke said a fourth person suffered a minor graze injury. Business analyst Judy Lahmers said the shooting was "totally unexpected" and that she didn't know whether to run or hide when she heard shots about 10 a.m. She said she ran out of the building and hid behind a car.Lahmers said she knows one co-worker was grazed by a shot but was OK."We're all software people. We have a good group," she said. Gabe Geib, who works at nearby Esker Inc., said he heard a couple of shots but didn't immediately know what it was. He said he then saw numerous people running away from the building in "full sprint."He said he and his colleagues were still huddled in their cafeteria, away from windows, more than an hour after the shooting.Nearby schools were placed on lockdown, but that order was lifted at about midday.The shopping center next to the building, Greenway Station, was also locked down at the direction of police, according to the center's general manager Corey Kautzky. There are 34 stores and restaurants in the center that were temporarily closed, Kautzky said.Several hours after the shooting, and as part of their investigation, authorities with armored trucks descended upon a Town of Verona home and blasted their way inside. Middleton is about 90 miles west of Milwaukee.The Associated Press contributed to this report.WTS Paradigm issued this statement Wednesday night:The entire WTS Paradigm team is shocked and heartbroken by the incident that occurred today at our Middleton office. Our deepest thoughts are with all of our staff and their loved ones. We are working directly with Dane County and our EAP services to provide employees with grief counseling. We also plan to provide additional support services to staff in the near future. In a situation like this, you learn how great a community really is. We cannot thank the Middleton Police Department, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, and other emergency personnel enough for their amazing response. Additionally we want to express our gratitude to neighboring organizations who provided sanctuary, food, and water to our staff during their time of need. Here are a few that we have been made aware of:Smoothie KingMounds Pet Food WarehouseWorld MarketThe Office of Veteran's AffairsResidence InnHilton Garden InnGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app or our email newsletters.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Officers who responded to a Wednesday morning workplace shooting on Middleton's west side encountered gunfire and a chaotic scene, the police chief said in describing the eight minutes it took from the first 911 call to the end of the threat.



"Their quick actions -- the training worked and put a stop to this incident," police Chief Charles Foulke said of the officers. "I didn't think we'd be using (training for an active shooter) in Middleton, but we did today."

The shooter died at University Hospital. His name was not released, but Foulke confirmed he lived in nearby Madison and was an employee of WTS Paradigm, a software company inside the complex on the 1800 block of Deming Way where the shooting took place. The motive wasn't immediately known.

The chief said the shooter was heavily armed with a semiautomatic pistol and extra ammunition. Two Middleton officers and two Dane County deputies engaged the employee, but Foulke said he didn't know who took the shooter down.

One of the victims in the shooting remained hospitalized Wednesday afternoon in critical condition. Two others were in serious condition, a hospital statement said. Foulke said a fourth person suffered a minor graze injury.

Business analyst Judy Lahmers said the shooting was "totally unexpected" and that she didn't know whether to run or hide when she heard shots about 10 a.m. She said she ran out of the building and hid behind a car.



Lahmers said she knows one co-worker was grazed by a shot but was OK.

"We're all software people. We have a good group," she said.



Gabe Geib, who works at nearby Esker Inc., said he heard a couple of shots but didn't immediately know what it was. He said he then saw numerous people running away from the building in "full sprint."



He said he and his colleagues were still huddled in their cafeteria, away from windows, more than an hour after the shooting.

Nearby schools were placed on lockdown, but that order was lifted at about midday.



The shopping center next to the building, Greenway Station, was also locked down at the direction of police, according to the center's general manager Corey Kautzky. There are 34 stores and restaurants in the center that were temporarily closed, Kautzky said.

Several hours after the shooting, and as part of their investigation, authorities with armored trucks descended upon a Town of Verona home and blasted their way inside.

Middleton is about 90 miles west of Milwaukee.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.

WTS Paradigm issued this statement Wednesday night:



The entire WTS Paradigm team is shocked and heartbroken by the incident that occurred today at our Middleton office.

Our deepest thoughts are with all of our staff and their loved ones. We are working directly with Dane County and our EAP services to provide employees with grief counseling. We also plan to provide additional support services to staff in the near future.

In a situation like this, you learn how great a community really is. We cannot thank the Middleton Police Department, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, and other emergency personnel enough for their amazing response.

Additionally we want to express our gratitude to neighboring organizations who provided sanctuary, food, and water to our staff during their time of need. Here are a few that we have been made aware of:

Smoothie King

Mounds Pet Food Warehouse

World Market

The Office of Veteran's Affairs

Residence Inn

Hilton Garden Inn

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Middleton Police Chief says 3 shot in workplace shooting at WTS Paradigm. Police “neutralized” suspect, shooting him. He’s being treated for his injuries as well as the 3 victims. Building has been cleared. No additional suspects sought. “Public is no longer in danger.” #WISN12 pic.twitter.com/P5gOGigmqO — Nick Bohr (@NickBohrWISN) September 19, 2018

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. #BREAKING 5 victims now reported in Middleton shooting. The 5th victim is being treated at St Marys Hospital #WKOW — Caroline Bach (@CarolineMBach) September 19, 2018



This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. #BREAKING: University Hospital confirms they’re treating 4 victims of the Middleton shooting #WKOW https://t.co/GuDLmPQdZU — Nick Buffo (@NickBuffo) September 19, 2018



This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. We are closely following this situation. Our thanks go out to first responders on the scene. — Governor Walker (@GovWalker) September 19, 2018



This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Deming Way blocked at HWY 14 into Greenway Station due to active shooter situation. 1800 block of Deming Way in #Middleton. #WKOW pic.twitter.com/A6n9PvklPE — Branden Borremans (@BBorremansWX) September 19, 2018



This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Madison SWAT team speeding toward Middleton WB on the Beltline @WKOW pic.twitter.com/rrvhtkPZVb — Max Tsaparis (@MaxTsaparis) September 19, 2018



This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. A number of people from this building are waiting feet away in the parking lot to hear what’s happened. #wkow pic.twitter.com/GzgqrBYhKO — Michelle Alfini (@MichelleAlf) September 19, 2018



This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. #ActiveShooter #Middleton #Wisconsin #Police #News/ ACTIVE SHOOTER - LOCK ALL DOORS AND SHELTER IN PLACE - Police pic.twitter.com/e8m0KviLdS — GOATY'S NEWS (UK) -Masks slow Coronavirus spread (@Goatys_News) September 19, 2018

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