Inmate dead following altercation with Walworth County deputy

TOWN OF GENEVA (WITI) -- Alfredo Villarreal, an 18-year-old inmate, is dead following an altercation with a Walworth County Sheriff's Deputy at Lakeland Medical Center Monday, January 21st.

According to police, Villarreal was shot around 6:45 p.m. on Monday after he attacked the deputy guarding him in an attempt to escape custody.

Officials say Villarreal began punching and kicking the deputy in the face multiple times after he requested to use the bathroom and was let out of his restraints. The deputy called for assistance and multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the medical center.

Police say the deputy deployed a taser, which failed to stop the inmate. After being tased, Villarreal used a chair to break the window in his room. When this attempt failed, Villarreal attempted to strike the deputy over the head with the chair. The deputy then discharged his handgun, striking the inmate.

According to the Walworth County Sheriff's Office, life-saving measures were immediately implemented by law enforcement and medical staff. But Villarreal died at the scene.

On Tuesday, some of Villareal's family came to the Walworth County Sheriff's Office seeking answers.

The investigation has been turned over to the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office. They say they weren't told until 1:00 a.m. Tuesday about what happened. They described Villareal as a kind teen who may have had some problems, but nothing, they say, that should have warranted this. 

Villareal's family says medical authorities told them Villareal was taken to the hospital because he had been having seizures -- another piece of this story that for them, doesn't add up.

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