MIDDLETON (WKOW) — Anthony Y. Tong, the employee of a Middleton software company that opened fire on coworkers before being fatally shot was not legally able to possess firearms, according to police.
At a Friday morning news conference, Middleton Police Chief Charles Foulke said that Tong had contact with law enforcement in 2004 in South Dakota and that because of a mental health issue, police seized his weapons.
Tong then had his concealed carry permit revoked, Foulke said.
Tong arrived at work at WTS Paradigm on Deming Way in Middleton as usual Wednesday morning, Sept. 19, and at about 10:30 a.m. began firing on co-workers.
Three victims are being treated for injuries at UW Hospital. A fourth was treated and released from St. Mary’s hospital.
The three victims, one woman and two men remain hospitalized. Foulke said that one of the men were shot multiple times and has a long road to recovery but his condition is improving.
“Two are doing quite well and the third has a long haul ahead,” Foulke said.
Two Middleton police officers, one an 8-year-veteran and the other a 20-year-veteran. and two Dane County Sheriff’s deputies engaged Tong and shot him.
Authorities are expected to release their names on Friday afternoon.
Tong was transported from the scene to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, according to a news release.
Foulke said Tong died of gunshot wounds from officers, and not a suicide.
ATF is having difficulty tracing the origin of the weapon Tong used, according to Foulke, so investigators are unsure of how it came into his possession.