NEWS
Man Arrested Twice In One Day For Bringing Guns To Wisconsin Capitol And Demanding To See Gov. Tony Evers
govevers/Instagram
A man who was arrested for bringing a handgun to the Wisconsin State Capitol and saying he wanted to see the governor on Wednesday posted bail and returned that evening with an automatic rifle, police said.
The man initially approached the security desk outside the office of Gov. Tony Evers with a holstered handgun and a leashed dog at around 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to the state’s Department of Administration.
The man refused to leave without first seeing the Democratic governor, and was arrested by Capitol Police for openly carrying a firearm in the Capitol, which is illegal. His gun was seized and the dog was transferred to City of Madison Animal Control.
The governor was not in the building at the time.
The man was taken to Dane County Jail and later posted bail. He returned to the Capitol at around 8:30 p.m. with a loaded rifle and again demanded to see the governor.
The Madison Police Department confirmed officers were sent to assist Capitol Police at around 8:44 p.m. According to Madison police, the suspect was taken into protective custody and transported to a local hospital.
According to the state’s Department of Administration, the suspect was transported for psychiatric evaluation based on a concerning statement.
It appears the suspect had not been charged in the incident by midday Thursday. In an alert for state lawmakers obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Capitol Police identified the man as Joshua Taco Pleasnick. Police warned lawmakers to use extreme caution when in contact with Pleasnick. He should be considered armed.
Per reports, Pleasnick was determined to speak to Evers on the subject of domestic abuse toward men.
Earlier this week, Evers attended a ceremony at the Capitol as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and presented awards to honor Marlys Howe and Antonia Drew Norton for their contributions in assisting survivors of domestic violence
I’m OK, Evers told reporters at a campaign event on Thursday. To their credit, the Capitol police took control of the situation and so it’s over.
TMX contributed to this article.
