CALEDONIA – The Racine County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday identified the victim and the shooter in Tuesday morning incidents that resulted in two deaths.
Anthony F. Griger, 22, of Elkhorn, was shot and killed by John R. McCarthy, 32, of Hartland, about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Pilot Travel Center, 13712 Northwestern Ave. (Highway K).
“We offer our prayers and condolences to his family, friends and wife. The family is requesting their right to privacy be respected at this difficult time,” the Sheriff’s Office stated in a news release regarding Griger.
The Sheriff’s Office reported that Griger was shot while pumping gas. Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling, at Tuesday media briefing, said that Griger “was viciously executed.”
McCarthy then shot at a motorist pulling into the travel center and fled eastbound in a vehicle to the Mobil gas station, 10616 Northwestern Ave., on the west side of Franksville. There, he left his vehicle and opened fire on a man, who was an undercover Racine County Sheriff investigator. The investigator was just starting his shift and had stopped at the station for fuel. Gunfire was exchanged leaving McCarthy dead at the scene and the investigator wounded.
The investigator was taken by ambulance to Ascension All Saints Hospital in Racine. He remained hospitalized Wednesday with multiple gunshot wounds that fractured several bones in the pelvic area. The injuries “are non-life-threatening,” the Sheriff’s Office reported.
Authorities have not discussed possible motives for the shooting, the types of firearms involved or other details.
The Wisconsin Justice Departments Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shootings. Wisconsin state law requires officer-involved shootings to be reviewed by at least two investigators, one identified as the lead investigator. Neither investigator can work for the law enforcement agency of the officer involved in the shooting incident.