On February 6th, at approximately 4:29 p.m., the Grant County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a male causing a disturbance within St. Mary’s Catholic Church (930 Jefferson St.) in Fennimore. Additional information indicated that the male was attempting to gain entry into a locked room and demanding to speak with a priest. At the time of the call, the on-duty Fennimore Police Officer was engaged in a separate incident and was unable to respond. Consequently, Grant County deputies were dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, deputies observed the male in the front of the church, near the altar. The male exhibited extreme agitation and profaned at the deputies. Deputies attempted to gather information from the male, but he refused to identify himself and continued to make statements about Jesus Christ and the Devil. The male then seized several metal candle holders from the altar and threw them to the ground, striking one deputy.

At this point, a deputy drew their electronic control device (Taser) and informed the male that he was under arrest. The deputy provided numerous commands for the male to comply, including placing his hands behind his back and kneeling on the ground. However, the male failed to comply with these commands. He then ascended several steps to a raised area, turned his back, extended his arms to his sides, and fell backward, striking his head on the floor.

Deputies subsequently approached the male and attempted to secure his hands behind his back. However, the male resisted these efforts and continued to struggle. Due to the persistent resistance, a deputy deployed their Taser device, enabling the deputies to subdue the male and handcuff him. After the handcuffs were applied, the male continued to resist with his legs. Consequently, additional responding law enforcement officers arrived at the scene and secured his ankles in restraints. EMS was dispatched to the scene to assess the subject due to the injuries sustained.

Taser deployment and a head laceration resulted in the subject’s transportation via ambulance to Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster for further treatment. No deputies were injured during this incident.

The male suspect in this incident was later identified as Aaron Peterson, aged 38 of Fennimore. This incident will be referred to the Grant County District Attorney’s Office, with the recommendation that the individual be charged with Disorderly Conduct and Resisting/Obstructing an Officer.

Assisting the Sheriff’s Office at the scene were Fennimore EMS, Fennimore Police Department, Lancaster Police Department, and Boscobel Police Department.

**Individuals arrested or referred for charges by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. An arrest merely indicates probable cause to bring formal charges.** The names of victims and witnesses to a crime have been withheld per Wisconsin Statute §950.04.