Suburban Woman Dies After ‘Random' Shooting on Way Home From Wisconsin Dells With Family

A gunman fired three times into the car as Czaczkowski's family vehicle attempted to pass the shooter’s Chevy Blazer

An Illinois woman shot while headed home from a popular water park with her husband and two kids has died, two days after the apparently random attack on a Wisconsin interstate.

Tracy Czaczkowski, 44, was shot Sunday in what authorities said was a random drive-by shooting on Interstate 90/94 near mile post 95 in Sauk County.

A gunman fired three times into the car as Czaczkowski's family vehicle attempted to pass the shooter’s Chevy Blazer, according to NBC affiliate station in Madison WMTV.

Czaczkowski, of Buffalo Grove, was traveling with her husband, an employee with the Drug Enforcement Administration, and two kids at the time of the shooting. They were traveling home from Wisconsin Dells.

She was taken to at an area hospital Sunday where she was initially listed in very critical condition. No other injuries were reported. 

"We are sad to announce just days before Mother’s Day the passing of Tracy Czaczkowski," the DEA said in a statement. "Tracy passed away due to injuries received from a gunshot wound on May 01, 2016. While traveling on I-90, returning from a weekend family trip. Tracy is a loving wife of 15 years, mother of two tender age children, daughter and friend. The husband has been a DEA employee for 11 years in service to his community and country. The family is asking for privacy in this difficult time so that they can comfort each other. The family would like to say thank you for the prayers and out pouring of support for Tracy."

The alleged shooter was stopped on the interstate near DeForest using spike strips and was ultimately shot by two Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies after he allegedly refused to drop his gun, according to WMTV. His condition was not immediately known.

The gunman is also suspected in a West Allis, Wisconsin homicide that happened hours before the reported drive-by. 

Dennis Wichern, a special agent in charge of the Chicago's DEA field division, called the shooting "the most tragic incident I've ever seen in my 30 years of being in law enforcement."

"This one makes no sense," he said. "It's tragic, it's senseless, and it just goes to show you how precious life is at times."

According to the DEA, funeral arrangements for Czaczkowski have not yet been announced. Those wishing to assist the children with future needs such as education are asked to visit the family's GoFundMe page, the agency said.

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