FITCHBURG (WKOW) – Police are investigating what they're calling a homicide at an apartment building on Leopold Way in Fitchburg.
Lt. Chad Brecklin with the Fitchburg Police Department tells 27 News that when officers responded to the scene at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, they discovered a man in the hallway who was not breathing. Officers attempted to resuscitate him but were unable to revive him. The Dane County Medical Examiner's Office later declared the man dead.
Authorities are treating the death as a homicide, but would not comment on whether they had a suspect, saying it is too early in the investigation to release that information.
Brecklin says they are not releasing the man's name, and are not able to comment on the cause of death. There will be an autopsy conducted Wednesday morning.
Fitchburg police were assisted by the Dane County Sheriff's Office and Madison police. District Attorney Ismael Ozanne arrived on scene after several hours. Brecklin says that is routine procedure for a crime of this nature.
People who live in the area told 27 News that they believe the neighborhood is getting increasingly more dangerous. The body was found at a building right across the street from Leopold Elementary School.
The owner of the apartment building says he has not had any trouble with tenants, and says he believes it is a crime that could have happened anywhere.
