VILLAGE OF MAINE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer-involved critical incident in the Village of Maine, Wis. that occurred in the late evening of Friday, August 13, 2021.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., a Marathon County deputy sheriff observed a vehicle parked at a car dealership near County Rd. WW that had eluded a Lincoln County deputy sheriff attempting to stop the driver for a speed violation. The Marathon County deputy sheriff gave verbal commands to the driver, who did not comply with the verbal commands. A male subject got out of the driver’s side of the vehicle and shot at the deputy sheriff who then returned fire. A female subject remained in the vehicle, unknown to the deputy sheriff until right before the male subject opened fire. Both the male and female subjects were injured by gunfire. Law enforcement immediately rendered aid to both the male and female subject.

Both subjects were transported to area hospitals, and have since been released.

The deputy sheriff was not injured, and no other individuals were injured during the incident.

Marathon County District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon has charged the male subject, Zackery D. Schwartz, age 25 of Gleason, Wis. with:

• Attempt First Degree Intentional Homicide, Repeater
• First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Repeater
• Two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Repeater
• Intentionally Point Firearm-Law Enforcement Officer, Repeater
• Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, Second or Subsequent Offense, Repeater
• Possession of Narcotic Drugs, Repeater
• Possession of Cocaine – Second and Subsequent Offense, Repeater
• Possession of THC – Second and Subsequent Offense, Repeater
• Possession of a Controlled Substance – Second and Subsequent Offense, Repeater
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Repeater
• Operating with Restricted Controlled Substance in Blood – Second Offense, Repeater
• Operate Motor Vehicle While Revoked, Repeater

Schwartz is currently incarcerated in the Wisconsin State Prison System.

As in any criminal proceeding, Schwartz is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

DCI led this investigation and was assisted by the Wausau Police Department, Wausau Fire & EMS, and Wisconsin State Patrol. All involved law enforcement fully cooperated with DCI during this investigation. 

Please direct all media inquiries to the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office.