Citizen Tip Leads to Aerial Search for Subject.
Correction To Headline: 7:42 AM CST – Hughes is still at-large. After reporting the press update, OnFocus confirmed with Jackson County Dispatch, the search on March 6th was not successful in locating Mr. Hughes.
Jackson County (OnFocus) – On March 4th, 2021 at approximately 11:15pm, a Jackson County deputy responded to W15824 Kelly Road in the Town of Springfield, Jackson County, WI to attempt to locate Gary G. Hughes, 74, on a felony Probation warrant. The deputy made contact with the subject at the residence, at which time Hughes made statements indicating he was not going back to jail, brandished a firearm, and fired shots at the deputy.
The Jackson County deputy exited the residence safely and without injury and called for backup, at which point a 15-hour negotiation period and standoff began. During this time, other occupants of the residence were evacuated by law enforcement safely and without injury. However, at the conclusion of the standoff, law enforcement made entry to the residence and found that Hughes was no longer on scene.
On March 6, 2021, at approximately 9am, Jackson County Dispatch received a call from a resident on Taylor Road in the Town of Springfield, Jackson County, Wisconsin, reporting that a male party they believed to be Gary Hughes was on their property. The suspect then disappeared into a wooded area.
Law enforcement responded to the scene and spent the rest of the daylight hours canvassing the area but were unable to locate Hughes.
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office urges residents in this area to secure your homes, vehicles, and outbuildings and remain vigilant.
Along with Wisconsin State Patrol, Area agencies, St. Croix County, Trempealeau County Emergency Management, and Ho-Chunk Nation provided drones as a means of searching the area of interest via air support.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office thanks the citizens of Jackson County for their patience and the support of law enforcement as they worked tirelessly to locate Hughes and bring him into custody.
Update: 7:42 AM CST – The subject is still at large.
