A Pound man pleaded no contest June 24 to a reduced charge for shooting his friend in the leg one year ago in June 2025.
Cody Race, 37, pleaded no contest to aggravated battery — intending bodily harm with the use of a dangerous weapon, according to online court records. That charge was reduced from attempted first-degree intentional homicide through a plea agreement, which was accepted by Judge Jay Conley.
A second-degree reckless injury charge and three counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, all with dangerous weapons modifiers, were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
According to the criminal complaint, around 12:50 a.m. June 18, 2025, deputies responded to a report of a shooting on Tom Post Road in the Town of Brazeau.
The victim, an adult male, suffered a gunshot wound to his upper left leg.
According to the complaint, Race armed himself with a semi-automatic assault rifle and confronted two men and a woman outside the residence, demanding information as to the whereabouts of his girlfriend. He reportedly operated controls on the rifle producing audible noise in which it was believed Race was charging a round into the chamber of the rifle. Race pointed the rifle specifically at the three people, following threats to kill them.
One of the men attempted to persuade Race to stop. He instructed Race to put the rifle down, and he approached Race on foot with his arms up in an effort to deescalate the situation.
As the man walked closer to the porch, Race shot him once with the rifle, striking the man’s upper left leg.
The female witness attempted to render aid to the victim and called 911 to report an accidental shooting. She told deputies later she said the shooting was accidental because Race was close by, and he allegedly threatened to kill her if she told the truth during her emergency call.
Race is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 11. He faces up to seven years in prison.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
