Full Notification

On 04-03-18 at approximately 4:37pm, Janesville officers were sent to 1807 S. Osborne for a domestic dispute. The caller reported a male and female were arguing and the male was armed with a gun. The caller also reported hearing gunshots just prior to calling 911.

Within a couple minutes after arriving on scene, officers saw a male exit the home with an injury to his head. It was determined that the suspect struck the male victim in the head with the butt end of a shotgun inside the home.

After tending to the male victim and having him transported to the hospital, a female victim exited the front door and collapsed. She had been shot in the legs and was in need of immediate medical attention. Officers evacuated her to safety and she was transported to Mercy Hospital for treatment.

Officers identified a third female victim at 1738 S. Osborne who had been struck in the back of the head by the suspect and sustained a severe injury as a result. She was also transported to Mercy Hospital by ambulance and transferred to UW Hospital in Madison.

The suspect, identified as Dennis J. McNeal, was eventually located in the area of the 1700blk of Patton Pl and taken into custody. He is currently being held at the Rock County Jail.

Janesville SWAT officers made entry to 1807 S. Osborne to look for additional victims and or suspects but none were found.

The investigation is ongoing and it is anticipated additional charges will be filed against the suspect in this case. As of this time it is believed that all three victims will survive, the lone suspect is in custody, and there is no additional risk to the public.

A press conference was held on 04-04-18 at 11am regarding this incident and the information given out at the press conference is attached. A video recording of the press conference can be found on the Janesville Police Department Facebook page.

Arrested:

Dennis J. McNeal (57)

Initial Charges:
1st degree reckless injury ss.940.23(1)
1st degree recklessly endangering safety ss.941.30(1)
2 counts Aggravated battery ss.940.19

Criminal History:
Convicted Felon
Lengthy criminal history, primarily in Dane County, consisting of a variety of arrests and convictions such as drugs, robbery, domestic violence, assault, forgery
Currently living at 1807 S. Osborne

Prior Contacts with Janesville PD:
02-27-15 Abandoned Vehicle (JV1509310)
09-07-15 Witness to a traffic accident (JV1547006)
07-15-17 Witness to a disturbance (JV1738281)

Sequence of Events:

4:37pm Rock County 911 Center received a call from Steven Ruosch reporting a disturbance at the residence between his sister, Laurie Ruosch, and her boyfriend, Dennis McNeal. All three subjects live at 1807 S. Osborne.

4:41pm First officers arrive on scene.

4:43pm Contact made with Steven Ruosch who exited the house. Ruosch had a significant head injury and was transported to Mercy Hospital by ambulance.

5:05pm Female victim, Laurie Ruosch, exits 1807 S. Osborne and collapses just outside the front door. Officers move in to rescue her. Laurie reported Dennis McNeal was still in the house. She had gunshot wounds to her legs and was transported to Mercy Hospital by ambulance.

Janesville SWAT activated for possible barricaded suspect.

5:30pm Call received advising a hysterical male was running in the area of 1751 Patton Pl., attempting to get into cars parked in the area, and yelling he had been shot. Officers located Dennis McNeal in the area and noted he had a laceration to his hand. McNeal was transported to Mercy Hospital by ambulance.

6:27pm Officers locate another victim, Brenda Ruosch (daughter of Laurie Ruosch), at her residence 1738 S. Osborne. Brenda had a severe head injury and was transported to Mercy Hospital by ambulance and eventually transferred to UW Madison Hospital.

8:58pm SWAT makes entry to 1807 S. Osborne. No additional suspects or victims found inside.

Search warrants executed at both 1807 and 1738 S. Osborne. Evidence recovered at both residences.

Dennis McNeal was transported to the Rock County Jail after being medically cleared by Mercy Hospital.

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3:6 Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.