This is the exact moment officers come face-to-face with a man on a shooting spree. What follows is a rapidly escalating standoff that will leave an entire community on edge and end in tragedy no one could expect. >> Let me see your hands. >> He's in this wheelchair. >> Forest County Sheriff's Office, Forest County Sheriff's Office, you're under arrest. >> Other six officers are moving in. >> This is the Sheriff's Office. Don't reach FOR THAT GUN. >> AT 3:26 P.M. ON MAY 23RD, 2026, officers are dispatched to the Alice Actly Apartments in Crandon, Wisconsin. The information coming in is alarming but still incomplete. All they know is that something inside this apartment complex has gone terribly wrong. >> Forest County 911. >> Excuse me? Um hello? I can hear you. Hello. This is THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. HELLO. THIS IS THE SHERIFF'S Sheriff's Department. >> Then a second call comes in and suddenly the situation becomes much clearer and much more dangerous. >> We got it. We need this guy to call so we don't say with the rifle. Okay, we got rifle front or the back building? Okay, sounds good. Thank you. >> This is the voice of 6-car unit. We are getting multiple 911 calls of gunshots being fired around the hour from angle apartments. We believe it's going to be the story of angle apartments. >> Every second matters now. If officers are going to prevent this situation from getting worse, they need to get there fast. >> 4102 10-0. He is outside the building and has a rifle along with him and a machete. It's 753. We get him on the ground. Don't approach him. Just keep him at gunpoint until we all get there. Copy. 343 rifle is jammed and unlocked. >> Officers arrive quickly. What they don't have is a clear understanding of who they're dealing with or how dangerous that person might be. >> Do you see him, Tony? >> 4144 can I get the full name of the subject? 3881 10-4. >> 10-4. You know his apartment and who are we dealing with? >> We're dealing with 4000. Do you know the apartment number? 3600 He is outside now and has a rifle. >> Hold on. >> Yeah, take your time, guys. >> What apartment is it? >> Uh, don't know. I thought it was the I didn't I thought there was another apartment complex, a blue building. >> No. What's this guy's name? >> Not sure. >> 244, can I get the first name of the subject? >> Richard White. >> I thought that was RP. >> 10-4. >> 10-4. >> Richard, get cover, bro. Floyd Vanzant, correct? >> Correct. >> 10-4. >> 10-4. Do we have back coverage, guys? Yeah. Hey, we need to get a PA on this. >> At this point, officers are still gathering information and establishing a plan. What they don't realize is that they're only moments away from a confrontation that will completely change the nature of this call. >> He's got a rifle. He's got a rifle. >> Drop the gun! James, drop this! DROP THE GUN! JAMES, DROP THIS! >> HEY, CROSSFIRE, CROSSFIRE! Get back. 284, shots fired, shots fired. Watch your crossfire, guys. 284, shots fired, shots fired. All right, Rich. >> 284 >> 284 >> Get your page number. >> Shots fired. >> 10-1. >> Everyone 10-2 right now. >> Johnny, we need to fall back to this house. >> I know. Cover me. >> Up until now, officers have been searching for answers. Then, the suspect answers them with gunfire. For the first time, they see who they're dealing with. Meanwhile, more officers are pouring into the area, unaware that this scene is becoming far more dangerous than anyone initially imagined. >> 53, where you at? >> 525, building I do not see anybody. Front door open. >> Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. There's a window right there. >> Got it. >> Here. Here. Down. >> Stay. Stay. >> Dead bolt. >> Come back this way. I don't see anybody. >> Subject I got so First name of the subject >> Thought they're in a wheelchair. >> First name is Dwight. >> Here. Down. >> Dead bolt. I hear screaming in the building. >> Is there a door on the back, DJ? >> Dwight Van Outten. >> Trailers open. >> Dead bolt. Dead bolt. We have Back coverage, kid. >> We got yelling in the back. Can you guys see this front door so I can move to the back? >> The danger isn't limited to law enforcement anymore. Just across the street, families are gathered for a graduation celebration. What should have been one of the happiest days of the year is suddenly interrupted by the sound of gunfire, and the worst part is that more shots are about to follow. >> Right there. Down. Down. Nope. He's right DOWN. DOWN. >> [applause] >> HERE. HERE. HE JUST SHOT AT ME. >> 25 shots fired. Shots fired. >> You good? >> Yep, I'm good. 57, we have several shots fired. Here. Down. Down. Here. Here. Here. Here. Here. Come here. DJ, you got a rifle. Grab this uh He's up front. He just pulled up. What's wrong with shooting at me? Here. Down. Good boy. >> Which window is it? >> He came out the front door, I think, shooting at me. >> 10-4, everyone. Send two. Cover that back, Anthony. >> Here. You cover back. I got this dog. 57, Forest. Notify 51. >> 51, when you get a chance. >> Down. Down. Who's shooting? >> He is. He shot your partner. >> HERE. MY DOOR'S UNLOCKED, SO DON'T LET HIM GET TO THAT CAR. 57, FOREST. Notify 51. Both clearing officers discharged a weapon. >> Shots fired. 9194, contact 601. 6-11. >> 6-36. >> Despite the gunfire, officers continue searching for a peaceful resolution. Over and over, they call out to the suspect, giving him another opportunity to surrender before someone gets hurt. >> Police, if you're in the trailer, come out! >> He's in the house. you from this building. >> He's in the wheelchair. I got him in the window. In the window, DJ. Right here. He's got the rifle in the window. >> What if he goes back over here, bro? >> Tony, on you. >> On you. >> Sheriff's office, PUT THE GUN DOWN AND COME OUTSIDE. >> DOWN. DOWN. GOT HIM, TONY? DOWN. DOWN. >> I can't see nothing. >> Tony, four shots fired. Shots fired. >> You good? >> Yep, I'm good. >> Let's get behind this car. Get behind some cover, boys. >> DJ, you got a rifle? Grab it. >> He's out the front. He's just pulled out the front. >> Here. Down. >> Good boy. >> Which window is it? >> That one. >> 10-4, everyone sent to. >> Cover that back, Anthony. Here. You cover back. >> Down! Down! Shoot at him. >> Here he is. He shot your car. >> The most dangerous part of this standoff is it the gunfire. It's the uncertainty. Officers know the suspect is still nearby, but they can't pin down exactly where. As additional units continue arriving, the scene grows larger, more chaotic, and increasingly difficult to control. >> 17 and 19, I'm coming in my way. Where do you want me? >> Pray go on the other side from where we are, so towards the Seastore. >> You're good, Trevor. Keep praying. >> 10-4. Side of the house near the Seastore. 10-4. >> Yep. This guy can't see >> Down! Down! >> Third window near there. >> I can't see the 19, for us. He shot the propane tank at across the road. >> 10-4. >> You got a shot, Babbitt? Here. Five or 28. Babbitt, you got anything there? Visible? >> At this point, visibility is gone. Officers know shots are being fired, but nobody has a clear visual on the suspect. Meanwhile, Officer Richard and Officer Johnny find themselves trapped in an incredibly dangerous position, desperately searching for cover as rounds continue flying through the area. >> Johnny. Johnny, come this way. >> [panting] >> I got you, Johnny. Come on. Let's go, Ron. No, we're good. WE'RE GOOD. HE'S IN THE DOORWAY, JOHNNY. I DON'T I can't shoot with them guys over there. Everyone, 10-2 right now. I know. I know. Oh, this is horrible. He's in the doorway, Johnny. >> No. >> I don't I can't shoot with them guys over there. No. >> I need four contact 601 611 606 651 >> [snorts] >> We can't be here. There's that tank here, bro. >> 24, I don't know if you copy, but shots fired shots fired. >> At first, it sounds almost unthinkable. Then Floyd begins moving in a direction that makes those fears feel justified. And if those propane tanks become involved, this standoff could transform into something far more catastrophic. >> 10-4. >> 10-4. >> We have advanced shots fired. >> All right now. All right. 10-4 running. Just back of the park. >> 10-4. >> 10-4. >> We're working around this trying to get a front front angle on him. >> He's at the propane tanks at across the road. >> That's where we were. >> 10-4. >> Caleb, shut that road now. Shut that road. >> Johnny, break that fence down. >> 10-4 THAT'S FINE. DO YOU HAVE A VISUAL OF THE RIFLE BEVERAGE? >> Come on, let's just go back around. >> Green shirt. Caleb, the boy is trying to shoot at me. All over him apparently. >> 10-4. >> On stand. >> On stand? >> I'm on the south side. >> While one and group of officers remains focused on Floyd, another team notices someone else moving through the chaos. Right now, they don't know whether this person is a bystander, a witness, or someone connected to the unfolding violence. >> Where is he? Behind your squad? >> I think somebody's behind your squad. I don't know who it is. >> You want me to work around the back? >> No, stay right there. The other guy's got the other corner. He can't go anywhere. >> 419, we have someone on the back of the apartment. >> Yes. >> On the back of the apartment. >> 10-4. >> 10-4, 4. >> It's my heat alarm. >> 10-4. >> Yeah, you're clear. >> a man problem, player. We're behind uh on the back of the apartment. 10-4, running. Just check the back of the apartment. >> Who's calling? >> 10-4. I'm going to work around the >> It's my squad. >> I'm going to angle on him. >> You good, Trevor? Deep breath. Good? >> Yep. Just keep keep shooting. He's at >> Down. Down. >> Third window, DJ. >> I can't see him. >> the propane tanks. >> I didn't get it. >> 19, 4. >> Just when officers think they've bought themselves a moment to regroup, another volley of shots tears through the scene. The situation is moving in the wrong direction, and fast. >> So, he just stabbed her and walked away? >> Yes. >> Okay. Did uh And you said she didn't or did she never cry? She was nice to you the whole time? >> Yes. >> Uh when you stabbed her, did she ask you why or did she just >> I don't think she expected me to cuz I told her to get down on her knees, and I told her I said, "Don't get up until you know I'm gone." And that's when everything else went a totally different way. >> Where are you right now? >> You want to meet me at the trailer? >> Stay there. >> Stay there. Stay there. Get a drone or something if we need it. I'm putting my gun away. Hold on a second. 5 seconds for us. Can you see if Ryland has got a drone? Steward, you have to do that. Trailer is only concealment I didn't cover. >> I know. That's my favorite. >> Good boys. Babbitt! Just shoot us what? What do you want to do, DJ? Is he in the front of the building cuz we can work up to this corner. >> Yeah. >> You want to work up this building then? >> This way. >> Sit. Sit. Good boy. Is that good with you? >> I didn't hear you. >> Notify uh OnNight to put him on the line in case we get any other calls. See if OnNight can stage at the line in case anything big comes in that we can't get to. >> The standoff has become so public that people are pulling out their phones and recording it for social media. What officers see as a life-threatening situation, others are beginning to treat like a spectacle. And officers are forced to shout at bystanders to get back before someone gets hurt. >> Can you shut this thing down? >> Get out of THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE! GET OFF THIS ROAD! >> COME ON, GUYS. >> 10-4. WE HAD BAD CROSSFIRE. We're behind uh house right now. 10-4. I'm going to work around this fence and try to get a front front angle on him. Caleb, shut that road down. Shut that road. >> Up until now, officers have largely been reacting. That changes here. Another officer now has a clear enough position to return fire and actively engage the threat. >> [sighs] >> 7240 Speed Wagon that's at National Funeral Home. >> By this point, the outcome feels increasingly unavoidable. The standoff has been escalating for too long. The gunfire has become too frequent, and soon someone is going to lose their life. >> I think I got him. He's in his wheelchair up front. Let me see your hands! >> 307 others 600 do copy. >> Negative go ahead. >> I think I got him. He's in his wheelchair. It's not Yeah, in his wheelchair yet. >> Let me see your hands! >> 19-4 contact fire put him on standby as well. >> I got eyes on him. He's still in his wheelchair. >> Wheelchair in the front. Does he still have the rifle, Adam? >> I can't tell. The last shot he dropped forward and he dropped something. I I I can't tell. He has a Since they shot last. >> For the first time in a long while, officers have something they've desperately needed, visual confirmation. Floyd is still in the same position, still in the wheelchair, still motionless, but nobody is willing to assume what that means. >> Where's the mag that you shot with? Make sure it's not the next mag you're going to grab. Stick it in your pocket or something. >> I yeah, I just picked it up. I got 20 in here and it's more than enough. >> Even after the gunfire stops, officers refuse to lower their guard. Experience has taught them that some of the most dangerous moments happen after a suspect appears down. >> You want to make contact? >> Definitely. >> You guys see you guys can approach and clear. >> We have the most cover though. They got to come through that front yard. >> The barrel it's on the it's on the ground and it's facing this way. >> You want to work up a little bit? >> I just don't know is there anybody else in there? The shooting stopped. >> Yeah. >> Shooting stopped. I had residents when I got here were running down there. >> Good work. >> Yeah, I'll go find him with you. >> I'm on the south side. >> Here. He's on the front steps. >> You want to work up this building then? >> Just wait. >> Confirm 292. >> Go. >> Do you have eyes on him? He's right by that green garbage can in front of the red car. >> 10-4. I see him. Um is he still on the rifle? >> Stand by. I'll grab my nods. >> What did he say? >> [cough] >> Does he have the rifle? >> If somebody's got cover I can grab my binoculars. AR style rifle at his feet. I believe the barrel's facing the red car. It is car from here. Confirm 292. We can approach. >> You want to make contact? >> 10-4. If you guys can see you guys can approach. We'll stay here. The barrel it's on the it's on the ground and it's facing this way. >> Every movement from this point forward is coordinated through radio traffic. Officers don't have the luxury of guessing. They need everyone working from the exact same information before the approach begins. >> Stand by for approach. 17, stand by for approach. >> Taylor's in my car. In my car there's binoculars. Richard, get my binoculars out of my car. Yeah. Back seat. >> You got to be ready for it, right? >> You guys can see, you guys can approach. We'll stay here. >> I'm I'm gloving up for the cover. >> Hold on. Huh? We got a protein drink here. You need to stay behind cover right now. Go, Chris. Yeah, I know. The guys we we got to get make sure he's in custody. All right, boys, we're going to go right to the right to the apartment and straight across. No, I'd go apartment straight across. Then we have a little angle at him. >> What do you from here to straight across? >> Go. Nope, cover that. Get to that bush in the by the apartment and then we'll work away across. 2446, we're going to start approaching. Hold on, hold on. No, I'm I got my own. You want You want to grab some? Hold on, Taylor. Hold cover. Oh, yeah, we're good. Hold cover. You okay? Okay. Hold on, Johnny's grabbing gloves. Do you want gloves? Okay. Yep. I don't have gloves. You got gloves on you? Rich, you got Uh yeah, in the trunk, Johnny. In the trunk, in the drawer. Forest County Sheriff's Office, you're under arrest. Forest County Sheriff's Office, Forest County Sheriff's Office, you're under arrest. All right, 6-10 is moving in. Don't reach for that gun. Sheriff's Office, don't reach for the gun. I'll get gun. Got it. Weapon secured. All right, let's get him out and see what we can do. While one group focuses on Floyd, another team is working through a completely different problem. Because even if the suspect is down, officers still need to determine whether anyone else is involved. I'm just going to cover the house, then. I got you. Sit. Good boy. Right here, I got >> They're making their way up. >> Yeah. >> You got Once we get him secure, we'll have to go get some first aid stuff. You got to get in your car. Back, yeah. I don't have a vest for him, so we're clearing the building. He's not going in. His vest is at my in my office. Get him help him up. He's on the ground. Where do I put this? >> You sit here right there. Right here. >> All right, Rich. >> Yeah. >> This is yours. It's on safe. I didn't unload it. Put him on the ground, hands up. >> Put him on the ground. Hands up on the ground. >> If you think I'm going to help him, let's move up and run. >> I got it. Yeah, I'll try it. Hey, we got to clear the building yet, guys. >> Officers now begin clearing the interior looking for anyone who may still be inside. At this stage, they can't rule out victims, witnesses, or additional threats. >> After hours of tension, uncertainty, and gunfire, the confrontation comes to a permanent end. Floyd R. Van Zeel, Jr. does not survive. Floyd had struggled with mental health issues for years. He was also trying to overcome alcohol dependence. But according to his own brother, neither of those things fully explains what happened that day. And that's what makes this story so unsettling. Officers eventually learned how the standoff unfolded. They never truly learned why it started. Thanks for watching. If you want ad-free videos and exclusive content you won't find on YouTube, join my Patreon. 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