Tribal Governing Board Statement on Fatal Shooting at Lac Courte Oreilles

The Lac Courte Oreilles Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Sawyer County Sheriff's Office are investigating a shooting that occurred on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at approximately 11:30 p.m. Officers responded to the scene on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation to find a deceased individual with gunshot wounds.

On behalf of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Governing Board, Chairman Michael Isham released the following statement about the incident.

“The events of August 7th that resulted in the death of a young man on the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation are tragic and touch every family of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe and our entire community,” said Isham. “Many members of the LCO community knew the families involved in this untimely tragedy and we all share in the pain they feel.”

The deceased individual located at the scene was 26-year-old James A. Hamilton of Stone Lake, Wis. The shooter, a 29-year-old Hayward man, called 911 from the apartment where the incident occurred. He was taken to the Hayward hospital and Sawyer County Jail before being released. An autopsy was performed on Hamilton by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner in St. Paul, Minn. Sawyer County authorities suggest the shooting may have been in self defense.

“Even though we don't know many of the details leading up to the incident, it is still a sad day when a family suffers such loss,” Isham added. “Our hearts go out to the families of those involved and on behalf of the Tribal Governing Board, we will look to assist in the investigation any way we can.”

Further details will be released by Lac Courte Oreilles as they become available. The case remains under investigation.