UPDATED 1 P.M. NOV. 14 TO INCLUDE SUSPECT'S IDENTITY
A 74-year-old man from the Clintonville area was arrested on homicide-related charges following a shooting Nov. 12 in the Town of Germania, according to a news release from the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department.
A 67-year-old Greenleaf area man was found dead at the scene.
At about 9:15 p.m., the dispatch center received a 911 call from an individual reporting that a man had pulled a gun and shot his friend. The caller stated he was inside another building on the property with the door locked.
Multiple deputies and officers were dispatched to the location on County Road M, just west of Tigerton in the Town of Germania.
Dispatch remained on the line with the caller, who said he would defend himself if necessary, according to the news release. While still on the phone, the suspect, identified by the sheriff's department as Brent J. Hofman, attempted to enter the building where the caller had secured himself. The caller then discharged his firearm in the direction of the suspect.
Upon arrival, the first responding deputy encountered Hofman outside the residence. He initially failed to comply with verbal commands but was eventually taken into custody without further incident.
During a subsequent search of the property, deputies located a dead man inside the garage area. No others people were found on scene.
The caller was fully cooperative with law enforcement and provided a detailed statement.
A preliminary investigation indicates that all three individuals were connected through ownership of hunting land in the area.
The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and was later booked into the Shawano County Jail. Charges have been referred to the Shawano County District Attorney’s Office for review and formal filing.
“This remains an open and active investigation,” Lt. Chris Madle said. “The suspect is in custody, this was an isolated incident, and there is no danger to the public.”
The sheriff's department is recommending Hofman be charged with first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree recklessly endangering safety and being armed while intoxicated.
The sheriff’s department was assisted by the Stockbridge-Munsee Police Department, the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Tigerton Ambulance and the Shawano County Coroner’s Office.
