Authorities in Wisconsin have said that a state trooper was fatally shot after getting into a shootout with a man believed to have robbed a bank. The suspect was also shot and killed.
NBC News noted that Trooper Trevor Casper was following the suspect’s vehicle around 6:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday in Fond du Lac. The two ended up exchanging gunfire and Casper was fatally shot. He was 21-years-old and just recently graduated from the State Patrol Academy.
"Trevor had a soft and good heart," his family said in a statement. "He truly believed his sole purpose in life was to serve and protect others. When we asked Trevor if he was ready for his career as a Wisconsin State Trooper, Trevor proudly told us he was 'born ready to do this job.'"
The Associated Press noted that the suspect, who was killed, has been identified as Steven Timothy Snyder. Police believe he is the same person who not only robbed a bank in the Marinette County village of Wausaukee earlier in the day, but also shot an elderly man to death.
The shootings and the robbery are currently still under investigation.