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• Hammond man dead after shooting
• Weekend fire damages garage in Star Prairie

A Hammond man was shot and killed late Saturday night outside of his rural Hammond home.

Jacob Sperl, 22, at 1848 60th Ave., died after being shot by deputies from the St. Croix County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff Dennis Hillstead said that two of his deputies arrived on the scene at around 11:15 p.m.

The deputies parked on the road and approached the residence. As they were crossing the yard a vehicle pulled up and stopped in front of them.

Two individuals exited the vehicle and began talking to Sperl who was on the east side of the attached garage.

The deputies approached Sperl and the two individuals, but Sperl quickly moved away from the group.

According to Hillstead, Sperl then reached down and picked up a shotgun from the ground.

The deputies yelled that he had a gun and ordered Sperl to put it down several times.

Sperl ignored the deputies and then pointed the gun at one of them. Both deputies then opened fire hitting Sperl.

Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene and determined that Sperl had died.

Deputies found that Sperl's shotgun had one round in the chamber and 19 other shells were found on him.

Sheriff Dennis Hillstead said that his dispatchers received a 911 call at around 11 p.m. saying that that Sperl was inside the home and was making suicidal threats.

The caller also warned that Sperl was armed with a shotgun and that Sperl's parents were inside the home.

The caller also told authorities that Sperl had told them that he was going to take his own life and that if cops came up the driveway it would be too late.

Both deputies have been placed on administrative leave which, according to Hillstead, is department policy.

The shooting is being investigated by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department and the St. Croix County sheriff's office.

New Richmond Fire Despartment and New Richmond Area Ambulance and Rescue Service responded to a garage fire at 1067 County Road H in Star Prairie Township late Saturday afternoon.

Smoke and water damage was contained to the garage, leaving the Abrahamson's home intact.

No one was injured and no cause for the fire has been determined at this time.