FOR HUB CITY TIMES

WAUSAU – A suspect who assaulted and stabbed a 79-year-old man in his garage early Tuesday morning is dead, after the victim pulled out a gun and shot his attacker in the chest. The incident occurred shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday morning in the Town of Elderon.

According to the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, investigators believe the suspect followed the 79-year-old man home from a local establishment.

Deputies were dispatched at approximately 2:37 a.m. to the Town of Elderon home for a report of a man who was assaulted and stabbed as he exited his vehicle in his garage. The victim was in possession of a firearm and fired one round that struck the suspect prior to the firearm being wrestled away from the resident. The suspect was shot once in the chest and died while fleeing the scene. The suspect’s identity is being withheld pending family notification. The 79-year-old victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and is recovering at a local hospital.

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, officials say no further information can be released at this time. The Sheriff’s Office will provide updates as additional information is available.