on average 350 people die a year in America from high speed chases since 1994 when they started tracking them. i may be the only person in rock county that thinks this is the wrong way to catch a criminal, but it turns out a lot of other people who see this happen all the time disagree with you also.

copland, i would not want another person killed in order to catch the killer ( who at the time was an attempted murderer since she was still alive during the chase)even if it was my family member. the police know who he is, it's not like he could hide and we had no description. as for common sense, it's not common especially in rock county . domestic disputes are always seen as not a danger to society. like the guy who killed 3 people in the trailer park. i remember the police saying there is no danger to the public because it is a domestic dispute. yes normal people stop for the police. people do stupid things all the time and run from the police, it should not be a death sentence for them or the public in the way of the chase. you claim the police were in control, but two of them ran into each other. like i said before the outcome was good this time, but should not be policy just from this one case. there are many that the outcome was not good. this is dangerous to the police too not just innocent bystanders.

Harleyrider- the reason why some have commented about the chase ONLY is because this article originally was only about the chase. The gazette later updated it (hence "UPDATE" in the title) once they later were given more information. It's not that those people are being insensitive, they just commented before the update was posted. The gazette decided not to start a new article, which would have given it brand new postings. Instead, they updated the already commented on article.

I hope that makes sense and I hope you can feel a little better knowing why some commented on the chase rather than the (updated) death of an innocent person.

Harleyrider--> I agree, BUT that's what our community has come down to, complaining about everything......

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How are the comments removed?? This is getting out of hand, and the Gazette should NEVER allow comments under articles like this. *shakes her head*.

why do so many of you people just got to make the comment about the chase??Hello people there was a life taken,a little boy left without his mother.JPD and RCS did their job to get Mr.Hicke.Afterall there was a gun involved,why take a chance to risk other lives,that's what their trained to do is use appropiate action when they need to and they did in this case.Let's leave all the negative comments out and give our condolences to Erica's family and friends,which I am one of them and send prayers out to the 5 year old son.Come on people stop with the bickering,it's not your tragedy to judge on.

my condolences to erica's family.

I truly believe that the "comments" should be disabled on this story, and some related to it.
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Just looking at what others have said is sad...some should seriously think before they type.
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My thoughts and prayers are with this family during such a difficult time.

To MLCole53545 thank you for your rapid post-we need to know things like this as they happen so we can let the authorities do thier job and stay out of their way. To Janesville, Rock County, and Town of Beloit PD and any other departments involved-thank you from the bottom of my heart-you did what you could to protect others-you have renewed my faith in the safety of our community. To the victim, the victims family and friends, I am sooo soooo sorry...I don't know why bad things like this have to happen, especially when good people and children are involved, but I am soooo sorry for your loss. It really it heart-breaking to think of all the damage that ONE person's actions inflicted-not only upon those listed above but this person has a family also that has lost a person they thought they knew.

The use of "alleged"...

Please realize that the presumption of innocence is NOT to protect scumbags, it is to protect us -- the innocent -- in case we are accused of committing a crime.

Hmm, I'm just stating one of the things that comes to mind after reading some of these comments. Forget the fact that this guy is an idiot for thinking he could force another person to love him and take him back. He needs help.... at this point, with a murder on his wrap sheet, there's a lot of things he needs help with.

More importantly, there is a family and many friends who are grieving the loss of this girl that lost her life.

Anyway, like I said, the one thing I wanted to say is that this high-speed chase reminds me of June 1994 in Los Angeles.... all I will say is.... he was driving slow on the highway in the white Bronco.

Here it is: in all the situations so graciously shared with us by JSNTM...lights and sirens were used and we were all taught in basic driver's ed classess that THAT MEANS to STOP...period. I will NEVER attempt to micromanage what the police officers have to do in any of these situations, nor will I condemn them for doing their job. We are lucky to have people willing to take this crap and still show up to work each and every day! God Bless this little boy and the tragedy he has endured.

justsonotomath if the cop had not got me out of his path and he hit my car who is to say he would not have taken a hostage..me or any other person..HE HAD A GUN ..think before you blog ....again thank you to the police officer who got me out of the path of this man. you did your job and much more to day.

OMG I'm in total shocked Erica was a sweet girl I've known the family for nine years my thoughts and prayers are for her family my son came home from school and told me what happen to his friends sister.I hope this guy gets locked up for life for shooting her multiple times in the face in front of her little boy it just makes me sick to my stomach may you rest in peace Erica!

Am sorry I went to her "Myspace" page. Scary yet sad.

Do realize that the Gazette must use "alleged" as he has not been convicted. I don't see why it softens the description any, i.e. is "crap".

Oh dear Joker.... Explain to me how this murderer shows what is wrong with Janesville when HIS address is in MILTON??!

My mistake. Maybe it was so long I thought it was since the 70's. LOL
Regardless he's got a pretty long rap sheet.

Just say no, you are pathetic. I am just saying no to you. Go away and learn some common sense and compassion if you do not want to learn math. Speaking of learning, just a friendly reminder, please grammar and spell check your postings. These errors look bad and trust me, there is enough ignorance on these boards and in this city. This criminal(yes,he is a criminal and now a murderer-don't give me this "alleged" crap) is living proof of ignorance and what is wrong with Janesville.

I live one block away from where the incident occurred. The traffic has been endless all day. Why do people feel the need to drive by and gawk. A terrible thing occurred in our neighborhood today but this isn't the circus, people. Please have some respect.

gina51, in the 1970s he wasn't yet age ten. The majority of the cases in CCAP are traffic-related, with a few disorderly conduct, obstructing, and fleeing charges mixed in as well as a non-criminal count of drug paraphernalia. The most serious charges were multiple misdemeanor battery counts for which he spent 9 months in Rock County Jail, six years ago. Put all that together and yes, it paints a picture of someone with a disregard for the law, but it doesn't have anything there that would put him away for a significant amount of time. Unless we're in Minority Report and Tom Cruise has crime tips from the future.
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It's very sad that his victim has died, but we can't imagine that we will always be able to predict which of our many chronic offenders will be a murderer.

You really need to get a hobby.

Justsaynotocommonsense--err--math: SERIOUSLY?? This was NOT an average run of the mill "domestic." There was ABSOLUTELY every reason to believe he was a HUGE danger to society. He had just shot someone mulitple times infront of a child. He was probably believed to be armed and dangerous. The police have a duty to serve, uphold and protect. Let's say YOU, justsaynotomath, were the ex-girlfriend (or current boyfriend of an ex of the shooter) and you were his next stop on his destructive path. Would you still be on here advocating passivity? Heck no. You'd be thanking your lucky stars that YOUR family isn't planning a funeral and that you are alive, well and able to indulge all of us with you diarrhea of the mouth on here.

The article also states that speeds got up to 90 mph. Maybe my reading comprehension is lacking, but I don't arrive at the conclusion they were continously zipping down Center Ave and 51 going 90. - have faith that the officers backed off, as protocol dictates, during the periods of high and imprudent speeds. I had a close family friend injured very very badly during a high speed chase here in Janesville. I know that not ONE of his fellow officers have ever forgot that lesson--20 some years later!

JSNTM - I read the four stories. I consider 3 of the deaths as "suicide by stupidity". They died by their own actions. They knowingly were fleeing officers of the law. The police didn't press down on their accelerators. They did. They weren't pushed off the road, hit an abutment, etc. They did that on their own. Those CHOSE to not pull over when the officers hit their lights. Sad for the families, but you can't blame the police. The law is pretty clear. When the officer turns on his lights, PULL OVER!! It doesn't mean go faster.

my deepest condolences to the girls family. hopefully d.a. o'leary wont issue a slap on the hand for this like he does to all repeat offenders. Seems you can have drugs in your house that children find, and get a slap on hand, so the d.a. probably will recommend extended probation for this one. time for a new d.a. so justice will be properly served in cases, espically like this one

justsonotomath...I'm just wondering what your stance on this would be had this been a family member of yours that had been shot. Would you have wanted the police to chase? What if this was someone that had a grudge against your family and after he shot the first person he was going to visit each and every member of your family and do the same? Would you have wanted the police to chase? I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say you'd be pretty upset if they didn't chase. You are basing your opinions on a news article. You have absolutely no idea how much other information that the police that responded to the scene obtained. You have the luxury of sitting back in your easy chair, being able to armchair quarterback the situation from inside the safety of your home/office. Fortunately for the rest of us who live in the real world you aren't burdened with having to make the same split second decisions that the police have to make on a daily basis.

justsaynotomath includes first degree murder in her definition of a "domestic dispute". They knew there was a multiple shooting victim long befoe the chase started and they also called Beloit and Rck County. Lets all say goodbye to common sense.

momof5...bravo...these whiners would all want the police to do the same if it were them in the situation. How many of them were in the police's shoes? Seems the JPD earned their pay today! Feels comforting to know they are there.

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/332...

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/2...

http://www.gazetteextra.com/chasedeath04...

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/oak-cree...

all police chases in wi. and they all ended in death. there are many many more too this is just a few. police know the direction he was headed and could call ahead to other police in the area without going 100mph. this was a domestic dispute and there is no reason to believe the public was in danger. police doing 100mph in the middle of town is a danger. maybe when they run over your family you will care. only because this had a good outcome can you say it is ok. it's not ! i still would not have made the comment under the current story but the point is still the same SPEED KILLS !

This loser has been in the court system since the 1970's. From battery to eluding the police to driving after rev (4times). Why was he not in jail? Was everything plea bargained away? Maybe if he was in jail where he belongs this whole tragedy could have been avoided. Losers like this have a history of abusing women. My take on "I can't live without you" is "How come your not dead yet"? Women really need to look at these kind of relationships seriously. Call a shelter or hotline and get help and protection from an abuser. The life you save could be your own.
Women's Hotline....608-752-28583
1-800-750-7990

*** EXTREMELY WELL PUT MOMOF5!!! ***

I cannot believe some are bellyaching about whether or not the police should have chased him, shot the truck tires out or rammed his vehicle as they did. They did what they did and I applaud them for that. No matter what they wouldve done, there'd be jerks on here saying it was wrong! GET OVER YOUR PETTY SELVES!! A young life has been lost and a 5 year old little boy just witnessed his mother being shot (to death).

Thank you to the COURAGEOUS officers throughout Rock County who apprehended this scum.

Rot in hell doesn't seem adequate or strong enough for the shooter.

To Erica's family, and especially her son, I do not know you but my heart aches and is weeping for you right now!!

Yes janesvillecomments.. they did try to deploy the stop sticks (they have them), but by the time one would try & set up, the guy would have, 1. already passed because they were going at a high rate of speed, or 2.. The scumbag would change directions. Not all of the cars have stop sticks, so when they need them, they have to call the car thats closest.. When your in a chase like this morning, directions change at the drop of a dime.

I just love it when i read Sunday Quarterbacking like, "they shouldn't have persuaded because they knew the plates, thus knew who the suspect was." Its a sad reality that, Police officers are, damned if they do, & damned if they don't.

I would like to say in defense of JPD.. I was impressed how quickly they were on the scene, & how quickly they took the information given to the dispatcher (who was great BTW) & found the truck. If they had not worked that quickly, that guy would have slipped into IL., & there would probably be a national search for him..& the red tape of extradition. Everyone who worked this from the dispatcher to the officers get a, "job well done" from me.

Any man who takes a mother from her child like this, needs some serious intervention (If ya know what i mean).

This whole thing just makes me sick. That poor little boy who will need so much counseling to overcome this in his young life. My condolences to this young woman's loved ones. These are the kinds of cases where the Death penalty is appropriate. There sure won't be any room to deny this, although I'm sure someone will try.

http://www.myspace.com/xxdemonofnytexx

Ericas (the woman who was shot) myspace

SwissChick--Good point. Why do so many insist on giving the benefit of the doubt to the criminals, rather than the police? Wouldn't it be just as easy to assume, until facts prove otherwise, that they WERE justified?

In the other article on this tragedy it states that they did try to use stop sticks on Hwy 51

There are times when it is better to let the driver leave the scene if they have them identified and capture them later when there will be less danger to innocent bystanders. I do not think this is one of those cases.
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A co-worker and I were wondering if the police/deputies had tried to deploy stop-sticks at any point in the pursuit. Anyone know if the JPD or RCSD carries stop sticks in squad cars?.
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Given the circumstances, I'm sure there must hav e been a few places on the chase between Janesville and Beloit where the cops could have safely EMPTIED A SHOTGUN into the pickup cab... er, I mean shot out a tire, without endangering bystanders.

Maybe comments should be withheld until all particulars are in. If the police are chasing him from Janesville to Beloit and back again, there is probably a really good reason. Also, it was on the radio that a gun was involved in the shooting prior to the chase. So I then rationalized that it was probably a good idea for them to go after the bastard.

Don't "ass"ume that all chases are pointless.

justsayno- even without a gun and shooting involved there is no reason to stop chasing and catch him later to let him do whatever he wants to do to whoever

lol...well, you would think she cares by all the posts she has been making, sounds hopped up on caffiene or something.

jsntm doesn't care what anybody else thinks and no body really cares what she thinks.

you people are so freaking dumb! what is the reading comprehension in Janesville anyways ? yes i said it the second time after knowing, so what ! the point is still the same the gazette took down the chase story and replaced it with the "update". so it looks like my first comment was on the shooting too but it was not it was on the CHASE ONLY. how many times do i have to say it, READ PEOPLE !!!!

How tragic. My heart goes out to the family. Great job by the JPD today for doing their job and not just going back to their offices and saying "oh, maybe we'll get him later" while he is out on the streets doing more damage. I agree - plug in the electric chair.

Sounds to me someone is having a little temper tantrum.
Kinda wrong place, wrong time.
Obviously they have mental health and/or medication issues.

!!!!! STILL PEOPLE NOT INVOLVED WERE PUT AT RISK DUE TO THIS CHASE THAT MANY PEOPLE WITNESSED AND DRIVING 100 MPH IN THE CITY IS WRONG, PERIOD !-JSNTM- You said this after you knew the whole story!

WAY TO IGNORE THE FACTS ! THIS WAS NOT REPORTED OR EVEN THE STORY AT TIME OF COMMENT 10:33AM SO SHUT UP AND MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT EXCEPT AFTER THE FACT, WHAT ELSE IS NEW.

What are you, Justsayno, a 5th grader?

Justsaynotomath-
Are you really serious? Do you think someone who has just shot someone (who he probably claims to love) multiple times and fled from cops from several jurisdictions is not a threat that HAS to be stopped? How do you think he would treat a stranger after seeing how he treated someone he cared about?
Your post sounds like you want to play "what if" games. ("husband was on his way to work after stopping at the pick n save and could have been hit if he didn't see them"). Well then, what if he had not be stopped by any means necessary? He obviously has no reguard for human life and would use any available means to avoid taking responsibility for his actions. Better yet, what if he had just shot your husband multiple times and fled? Would you still want the police to sit at the station and wait for him to turn himself in?
The bottom line is that this menace has been stopped from harming others, hopefully for a very long time, and nobody else got hurt.
Perhaps you could go visit Mr. Hicke in jail and sing "Cumbyahh" with him. Your faith in human nature is impressive, but not realistic.

LIKE I SAID NONE OF THIS WAS REPORTED AT THE TIME AND I DON'T REALLY CARE WHAT YOU PEOPLE THINK.

Justsaynotomath - it is not wrong when an attempted homicide (which turns out to be an actual homicide) has been involved. PERIOD.

If they aren't going to chase a murderer, who should they chase? I'll stick with my earlier imbecile call.

MY COMMENT WAS AT 10:33AM HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS A SHOOTING AND STORY WAS LATER UPDATED. WHEN I COMMENTED IT WAS CHASE ONLY !!!!! STILL PEOPLE NOT INVOLVED WERE PUT AT RISK DUE TO THIS CHASE THAT MANY PEOPLE WITNESSED AND DRIVING 100 MPH IN THE CITY IS WRONG, PERIOD !

justsaynotobeingbraindead....um, read the comment at 10:51am, would you?
Maybe THEN you can figure it out, and quit yelling.

HOW CAN THEY CHANGE THE STORY AND THEN LEAVE THE COMMENTS ???

rule1999 THIS IS NOT THE SAME STORY AS WHEN I COMMENTED ! I COMMENTED ON THE CHASE NOT THE SHOOTING WHICH WAS NOT EVEN REPORTED AT THE TIME OF MY COMMENT ! THANKS A LOT GAZETTE !

Justsaynotomath - about the dumbest thing I ever heard. My deepest condolences to Ms. Ostenson's family and friends, especially her son. So heartbreaking. Thank you to all the officers that put their lives on the line everyday. Impecable job today.

Thank you To all the police involved in catching this guy, I am just glad more where not injured in this chase. I agree they could have cut off pursuit and picked this guy up later and in a safer manner, but yes he did have a gun and was unstable at the time so to leave him out and about might have led to more violence. Thumbs up to all involved in putting an end to this traggic event

justsaynotomath....yep. Let's just get this MURDERER'S plate number, and maybe go after him later, because your husband wasn't paying attention to lights and sirens?
Give me a break, and quit whining already.
A woman has died. Your husband can get over it.

I am sorry I did not think my comment was any worse then the others. I apologize to all.

Pray for peace and comfort for the family and friends of Ms. Ostenson.

That poor child witnessing this. God be with him and comfort him at this time... Its heartbreaking.

Moobu - Witnesses sometimes "enhance" their story when a reporter comes around.

Funny, I was standing there the whole time and I don't remember people scattering and screaming for their lives like the article claims. Nice spice up though.

nbc 15 is reporting that she is dead, here is the link:

http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/4343...

Read some of her other posts. She is rude and a couple of french fries short of a happy meal.

justsaynotomath: this guy drove past the scene twice, led the chase to beloit, came back to janesville and the chase ended by Mercy Hospital.....think about it....he was going to the hospital to see if he could get in and see how his victim was doing and finish her off if he had too.....with the police chasing him AND successfully getting him in custody, they saved many many many lives by preventing him from going into that hospital....its ridiculous these days how people treat the police

52 entries into CCAP prior to todays activity.

The suspect's name is Kyle Hicke. When you click on the picture of him from the link I provided, it states his name.

Thought it was but thank god it is not. Thanks, it was not his pickup.

Note we've updated the story above. We'll have more details in today's print edition. --Gazette reporter Frank Schultz

fanofatvs- Pictures of the incident and a good shot of the driver here:

http://gazettextra.com/news/2009/apr/22/...

The driver is white.

This jerk shot his victim, 6 times.God I hope she lives

Nope point taken. No harm done

There's more information on the Wisctv3000 website: http://www.channel3000.com/news/19249950...

joe295. It is too bad that I can't type my emotions. I know that you weren't asking to be nosey, it seems you genuinely care about what happed. If my answer was snippy, it was not meant to be.

My distant brother was in that area was the driver white anyone know? I wouldn't think he would do a thing like this but I would not be surprized.

Probably not. Just asking but your right

joe295. I do have first hand information, but it is not my place to go into detail. I wouldn't want to find out the condition of a loved one on a blog, would you?

I did not say I was hit buy him.. I said almost.. Thank god I wasn't ..and also I do feel extreamly bad for the family. .but he also could have killed other people in this chase ..and if I would have gotten hurt or killed. I am a widowed mother of two ...so tell me I didnt have a right to be scared out of my mind

Justsaynotomath, Are you serious? There was a gun involved not knowing where this guy could end up. In a School or store? What we should be saying is how many lives may the pd have saved by doing what they did.

my husband was on his way to work after stopping at the pick n save and could have been hit if he didn't see them coming and got out of the way ! this chasing at high speed with no care for surrounding citizens has to stop ! the plate number and description could catch him later in a safe manner. stupid ! stupid ! stupid !

Was there a fatality from the shooting?

I witnessed the collision and the take down of this suspect - it was very scary! I do have to say what a great job the police did in stopping this guy and getting him into custody. There are at least 12 squad cars here from Janesville, Rock County, and Town of Beloit. Thank you for all you do to keep our community safe!

aparentwhocares..It is unfortunate that you were hit by this truck and I hope you were not seriously hurt, but let's not forget the vicitms here. Shot in the face and head with a child next to them. A friend of mine lives on the same street who knows these people and saw what happened. I hope the shooter gets every bit of what he deserves.

My husband saw them in Beloit heading down Hwy 51. He said there were 9 or 10 marked and unmarked squads in pursuit including the police suburban. His estimate at that point was at least 90 MPH.

I not only almost got hit by this truck once but twice..its a dark blue truck ...thank you to the police office that jumped out of his car to worn me as I was sitting at a stop light on center and kelloge ...if he had not I would not have been able to get out of the way in time..Im sure at the speed he was going I would have been hurt really bad or worse

Chase is related to shooting near where chase started

Two squads damaged in the pursuit...one JPD and one county.. NO injuries reported

Unless this is a different chase. They are still chasing this person.

It is a DARK Blue truck the chase just came down my street.