Waukesha Police Discharged 26 Rounds At 76-year-old Man During Domestic Violence Call

Richard A. Petarius and Phyllis D. Petarius

76-year-old man taken into custody after gunfight and standoff with Waukesha police.

By H. Nelson Goodson

October 24, 2012

Waukesha, WI - On Tuesday, Waukesha police responded to a domestic violence call at the Wynwood Condominiums at the 1800 block of Racine Ave. where a 75-year-old woman was being interviewed and her former husband, Richard A. "Dick" Petarius, 76, showed up with a shotgun. Petarius had a restraining order against him since 2010 lasting until 2014. Petarius had just appeared in a Waukesha County court this week for contempt of court for not signing over tax refunds to his former wife.

The 76-year-old woman was identified as Phyllis D. who had been married to Petarius for 53 years, suffered a broken arm around 4:00 p.m. when Petarius allegedly grabbed her arm and pushed her. Her daughter called police and when they arrived minutes later and were conducting an interviewed with the victim. Petarius then appeared at the condo with a shotgun and pointed it at police and fired. Two officers at the scene returned fire, discharging at least 26 gunshots inside and outside the condo. One officer was grazed in the head by debris and is expected to survive, according to Waukesha Police Chief Russell Jack.

The woman was taken to a safe location when the gunfight ignited. Phyllis D. and her daughter were later taken to a hospital for treatment due to injuries suffered at the scene. 

Chief Jack confirmed, that Petarius was not injured during the gunfight with police and was taken into custody unharmed after an hour standoff ended with police.

Petarius now living in Sussex is expected to be charged on Thursday with multiple counts of domestic violence related crimes, including violating a restraining order.

Multiple police agencies and the FBI responded to the scene in Waukesha.

From my Android phone on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network.