Police: Woman abused beneath bridge for several hours

Gabriel Downey arrested in Black River Falls

BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. (WKBT) — Black River Falls police arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly abusing a woman for several hours beneath a bridge on Wednesday morning.

Police said two people travelled to Black River Falls from outside the county to inquire about a financial loan. They ended up near the Black River Falls Bridge on Main Street when they started to argue.

Gabriel Downey, of Shell Lake, Wisconsin, reportedly attacked the woman at about 6 a.m. Wednesday. The victim told police she was held against her will beneath the bridge and suffered hours of physical abuse and strangulation.  Police said after more than an hour and a half the victim was able to get to the roadway where she was attacked and spotted by a driver who alerted police about the incident.

A Black River Falls police officer noticed many cuts, bruises and abrasions on the victim’s body. She was transported to the Black River Memorial Hospital for medical treatment for her injuries.

Black River Falls police arrested Downey and transported him to the Jackson County Jail. He was held on counts of domestic battery and strangulation.