News Flash

Incident Type: Structure Fire 

Incident Date: 1/2/2026

Release Date: 1/2/2026

Prepared By: Kimberly Miller, Fire Administrative Services Manager 

At approximately 3:11 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, Dane County Public Safety Communications (911) notified the Fitchburg Fire Department of a reported structure fire at 5148 Anton Drive in the City of Fitchburg.

Upon arrival, first responders found no visible smoke or flames. Fire personnel located a small stove fire in one of the units that had already been extinguished by a single sprinkler head from the fire protection system.

No residents were displaced, including those in the affected unit, and all of the residents of the 30 units were able to remain in their homes. No injuries were reported.

The department reminds everyone that grease fires can be extremely dangerous. Never pour water on a grease fire, as it can make the flames spread. Instead, smother the fire with a lid or use a kitchen-rated fire extinguisher.

For additional information, please contact Division Chief Mark Mlekush at 608-270-7047.

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Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Crash 

Incident Date: 11/13/2025

Release Date: 11/13/2025

Prepared By: Kimberly Miller, Fire Administrative Services Manager 

At approximately 8:50 a.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, Dane County Public Safety Communications (911) notified the Fitchburg Fire Department of a motor vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 14 just north of Lacy Road in the City of Fitchburg.

Upon arrival, firefighters found two vehicles in the eastbound lanes with significant damage and two occupants involved. Tragically, one individual sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The second individual sustained injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. No other injuries to bystanders or first responders were reported.

Assistance was received from the Fitchburg Police Department and FitchRona EMS. 

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Fitchburg Police Department.

For additional information, please contact Public Information Officer Kim Miller: 608-270-7042.

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***UPDATED RELEASE***

Incident Type: Homicide

Incident Date: 12/23/2025

Release Date: 3/23/2026

Incident Number: FP25-26274

Details:

On Monday, March 23, 2026, an adult male was formally charged in connection with the December, 2025 homicide that occurred in Fitchburg.

On December 23rd, 2025, officers responded to the 2700 block of Pheasant Ridge Trail for a reported shooting and a victim down.  Upon arrival, officers located the victim, a 16-year-old male, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Devon Mason, 19, of Madison, has been charged with Armed Robbery-Party to a Crime and Felony Murder-Party to a Crime, and is being held in the Dane County jail (Dane County case 2026CF000693).

Detectives from the Fitchburg Police Department are continuing to investigate this incident, and it is possible that additional individuals may be charged in connection with this case. More details will be shared at the appropriate time.

ORIGINAL RELEASE

Incident Type: Homicide

Incident Date: 12/23/2025

Release Date: 12/24/2025

Incident Number: FP25-26274

Details:

Around 8:45 PM on December 23, 2025, officers from the Fitchburg Police Department responded to the area of Pheasant Ridge Trail and Deer Valley Road to investigate a weapons violation involving a possible gunshot victim. Responding officers arrived and found a single victim who died from their injuries after life-saving efforts were made.

At this time, there is no indication of a threat to the public, as investigators believe the individuals involved knew each other prior to the incident. The case is still under investigation, and no additional information is available for release at this moment. The Fitchburg Police Department was assisted by the Dane County Sheriff's Office, Monona Police Department, Fitchburg Fire Rescue, and Fitch-Rona EMS.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Fitchburg Police Department at (608) 255-2345. Individuals can remain anonymous by reaching out to Madison Area Crime Stoppers at (608) 266-6014 or P3Tips.com.

***UPDATED RELEASE***

Incident Type: Homicide

Incident Date: 3/23/2026

Release Date: 3/23/2026

Incident Number: FP26-04707

Details:

At approximately 7:00 a.m. this morning, officers from the Fitchburg Police Department responded to the 5500 block of E. Cheryl Parkway for a report of a male laying on the bike path with a bicycle next to him. Officers quickly determined this was the result of a hit-and-run crash involving a motor vehicle. The bicyclist, a 59-year-old male, of Madison, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office.

The preliminary investigation determined that the victim had been struck by a pickup truck sometime between 3:50 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. Detectives further determined that the incident was not accidental. Evidence indicated that the driver of the pickup truck intentionally left the roadway to strike the victim. After hitting the bicyclist with their truck, the driver then left the scene.

Prior to the report of the hit and run, officers had detained the driver of the truck after he also intentionally rammed a patrol vehicle in the parking lot of the Fitchburg Police Department, causing damage to two squads. This intentional act occurred after striking the bicyclist, but before officers were made aware of that incident.

The driver of the pickup truck, Andrew Smith, 40, of Beloit, was taken into custody and booked into the Dane County Jail on charges of Felony Criminal Damage to Property, Hit and Run (Involving Death), and First-Degree Intentional Homicide.   

Due to this investigation, the 5500 block of E. Cheryl Parkway was closed to all traffic for approximately 10 hours. The investigation remains active at this time.

Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Fitchburg Police Department – (608)270-4300.

ORIGINAL RELEASE

At approximately 7:00 a.m. this morning, Fitchburg Police officers responded to the 5500 block of E. Cheryl Parkway for a reported hit-and-run crash involving a motor vehicle and a bicyclist. Tragically, one individual has died as a result of the crash.

At this time, it is believed that all involved parties have been identified and are in contact with law enforcement. There is no ongoing threat to the community.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation. E. Cheryl Parkway will be closed for an extended period as officers and investigators continue to process the scene. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Incident Type: Residential Search Warrant and Arrest

Incident Date: 2/13/2026

Release Date: 2/17/2026

Incident Number: FP26-02366

Details:

On February 13^th, 2026, members of the Fitchburg, Sun Prairie and Middleton Police Departments’ Special Response Teams executed a search warrant at a residence in the 2500 block of Frontier Lane, Fitchburg. The search was part of an ongoing investigation into the possession child pornography.

As a result of evidence obtained during the investigation, Fitchburg resident Jonathan Moore, 28, was taken into custody without incident. Moore was booked into the Dane County Jail and charged by the Dane County District Attorney’s Office with (Dane County DA Case Number 2026CF00386):

This arrest reflects the dedication of the Fitchburg Police Department to protecting children, holding offenders accountable, and ensuring the safety of the community through thorough investigations and collaborations with local law enforcement partners. 

The Fitchburg Police Department was also assisted by Wisconsin DCI – Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the Middleton Police Department, the Sun Prairie Police Department, and the Janesville Police Department.