MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT TRESTLE TRAIL SHOOTING PRELIMINARY FINAL REPORT

Transcription

1 MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT TRESTLE TRAIL SHOOTING PRELIMINARY FINAL REPORT MEDIA VERSION: This report has not been redacted and contains information on

2 INITIAL RESPONSE On May 3, 2015 at 7:30:36 p.m. Winnebago County Dispatch received a 911 call from an individual named KEVIN. KEVIN indicated that he was at FRITSE PARK and that people had just come running off the bridge indicating that somebody was shooting, more specifically; he stated that a man wearing a black running suit with bright green had asked him to call 911 as he did not have a phone with him. Dispatch asked at this time if that individual had a weapon to which the caller indicated repeatedly that, no, he was the one running off the bridge with his child and that he was the one who indicated that somebody was shooting at people. The second 911 call came in shortly thereafter with another individual indicating that there were people being shot in the middle of the Trestle Trail Bridge. OFFICERS HOERNKE and MILLER were dispatched to the bridge for a weapons complaint based on this information. Within a minute, TOWN OF MENASHA OFFICER X540 was pulling into FRITSE PARK. He was immediately met and told that there was a female party who had been shot and that she was near the entrance to the Trestle Trail. After making his way to the female, later identified as ERIN STOFFEL, he indicated that he could see several others down in the middle of the Trestle Trail. At the same time OFFICER HOERNKE from the CITY OF MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT indicated that he could see the same. Officers from the NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT began responding to the scene along with members of the WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT. A short while later WISCONSIN STATE PATROL officers as well as APPLETON POLICE DEPARTMENT officers were enroute. LT. MATT ALBRECHT had arrived on scene and indicated that due to the fact that the incident had occurred on the Trestle it would be in the City of Menasha jurisdiction and that he assumed command at that time. He further indicated that once there were an adequate number of officers on the west side, the remaining officers responding could stage on the east side in Menasha at the end of Broad Street. At this time it had not yet been determined who the shooter was or where the shooter was located. There was a misinterpretation of the initial 911 call and the possible suspect description was broadcast as being the male party with the black running suit with bright green markings. During the initial few minutes there were three additional 911 calls and two of those individuals had run back towards the Trestle Trail in order to render aid to ERIN STOFFEL. These individuals stayed on the phone with the 911 dispatcher relaying information to Dispatch about what was happening at the scene as well as speaking to ERIN STOFFEL and asking her for information about what had happened. At this point while the TOWN OF MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT was setting up security near the pavilion at FRITSE in order to create a safe zone for the paramedics to get to ERIN STOFFEL. OFFICERS MILLER and HOERNKE as well as LT. ALBRECHT 1

3 began clearing the east side of the bridge. They began making their way west along the trail clearing both the brush and trees on the side of the trail as well as attempting to clear underneath the Trestle as well as above. X540 then advised to let Menasha know that there were three officers heading from the west side towards the east side. LT. ALBRECHT replied to let them know that we had two people clearing underneath the bridge making their way towards the west. With officers responding from both sides they needed to be clear and alert one another to avoid a crossfire situation. It was at this time that LT. ALBRECHT also advised that CHIEF STYKA, CAPTAIN HALDERSON, and LIEUTENANT BOUCHARD all be contacted along with INVESTIGATORS MAUTHE and GRUSS. He was in turn advised that the Chief had already been advised and more calls were being made. At this time it was also clarified by X520 that the suspect description that had been released regarding the male party wearing the black and green was not accurate and that that was the description of the individual that had run off the Trestle initially and gave the information for the first caller. Due to the large number of people that were gathered now at both ends of the Trestle Trail and the fact that the shooter had not yet been identified, officers began identifying some of the witnesses and others present and patting them down to make sure they were not in possession of weapons. Approximately 12 minutes after the initial 911 call officers had been able to make their way from the ends of the Trestle Trail towards the center of the Trestle Trail in the pavilion area. At this time Dispatch was informed that there were four people down in the center of the Trestle Trail and that they were checking for signs of life. X544 indicated that there were four victims on the bridge, one with agonal breathing and there were no obvious signs of life with the other three. He further asked that First Responders come out to the Trestle Trail at which point LT. ALBRECHT indicated that if the paramedics were at the edge of the Trestle Trail Bridge he would escort them to the victims. The Town officers in the middle of the bridge were able to ascertain based on the ballistic evidence on the Trestle Trail, specifically the shell casings, that the subject is believed to be armed with a handgun. OFFICER SEELY MOE, X540 from the TOWN OF MENASHA, clarified with Dispatch that we still did not have a description of the shooter and did not know what he was wearing. While the officers were escorting the paramedics to the scene additional officers were still searching underneath the Trestle Trail Bridge as well as the train tracks outside of the Trestle Trail that parallel the bridge. Approximately 21 minutes after the initial call CHIEF STYKA arrived on scene and met with Shift Commander ALBRECHT in order to de-brief and allocate people into positions. It was also at this time that it was suggested that a boat be launched so that the underside of the bridge could be checked. The next several minutes, officers began clearing the undersides of the bridge that they could reach while the boats were being prepared to go out and search the underside of the bridge over the water. There was a request at this time also for somebody back at the TOWN OF MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT to review the video surveillance footage from the camera near the pavilion at FRITSE PARK. The camera did not provide any information at that time; however, review of the camera later on showed multiple people running off the bridge 2

4 and one of those persons was ERIN STOFFEL. Furthermore, you can see a number of citizens rush to ERIN s aid. Officers continued to clear the underside of the bridge. At approximately 29 minutes into the incident OFFICER MILLER with the CITY OF MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT indicated that it was possible that the shooter was one of the victims down in the center of the bridge. It was advised; however, that until that could be determined for certain, that the perimeter was maintained and the search of the underside of the bridge continue. INVESTIGATIVE LT. RON BOUCHARD from the MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT arrived on scene and responded to the pavilion area of the Trestle to coordinate the investigation of the crime scene. It was also at this time that TOWN OF MENASHA officer X540 advised that the possible suspect was being transported eastbound on the Trestle Trail with paramedics and was being escorted by WINNEBAGO COUNTY and APPLETON POLICE DEPARTMENT officers. When the shooting suspect reached the end of Broad Street, a female party later identified as the shooter s ex-fiancé HAYLIE PETERSON was standing on the side of the road and immediately recognized the shooter as her ex-fiancé and became very emotional speaking out loud about what he had done. A roll call was done with Dispatch at approximately 33 minutes into the incident in an attempt to determine who was all on scene from the various departments and where they were located. They were unable to contact some of the Appleton officers at that time; however, some had switched to the north end radio frequency. Approximately 47 minutes after the initial call a boat was ready to clear the underside of the Trestle. Several APPLETON POLICE DEPARTMENT officers met up with Fire to clear the underside of the bridge. By this time a large number of media had shown up at the scene and a staging area was set up at the corner of Lush and Kaukauna Street near the old NOFFKE LUMBER building. Briefings were given via traditional media as well as via social media in an attempt to inform the public as to what was occurring at the scene. Most importantly was getting information out that we believed the sole shooter was in custody and no longer a threat to the public. INITIAL CONTACT WITH HAYLIE PETERSON First contact with HAYLIE PETERSON was on the night of May 03, 2015 by LT. RON BOUCHARD. While officers were staging at the east end of the Trestle Trail Bridge just off of Broad Street waiting for the all clear signal so that we could approach the crime scene, LT. BOUCHARD observed the paramedics wheeling an individual who was shot on a gurney off of the Trestle Trail Bridge towards the waiting ambulances on Broad Street. Simultaneously LT. BOUCHARD heard a female, who was standing nearby, scream and subsequently collapsed to the ground. LT. BOUCHARD approached the female 3

5 who was being attended to by another individual who was near her. This female, who had collapsed to the ground, was later identified as HAYLIE PETERSON. PETERSON was calmed down to the point where she could communicate with LT. BOUCHARD. She indicated that the individual who was just wheeled by on the paramedics gurney to the ambulance was her fiancé whom she identified as SERGIO VALENCIA DEL TORO, date of birth of February 22, PETERSON indicated that she and the shooter had been dating for some time and at some point in time they were planning on getting married; however, that marriage had been called off. She further indicated that he had been suffering from depression and that he had been receiving treatment for the depression; however, she indicated that at some point in time, he was no longer on medication. PETERSON further indicated that throughout the day on May 03, they were talking and discussing their relationship and the issues they have been having in their relationship. She further indicated that at some point during the day that he started to drink alcohol. She further indicated that during their discussions on this date, he was attempting to get her to go to the Trestle Trail Bridge with him and she declined and subsequently informed him that she was going out to dinner with her family and wanted him to go along; however, he declined that invitation. She indicated earlier she did go to supper with her family and when she returned home, the shooter was not there. A neighbor man, who is a Town of Menasha volunteer firefighter and who was also present at the scene, had seen her at home and had informed her that he just received information that there had been a shooting on the Trestle Trail Bridge. HAYLIE indicated that she immediately went into their room at the residence and checked and noticed that several firearms were missing as well as his bicycle. She stated that she realized that something had happened and felt the shooter was involved based on his earlier state of mind when she had left him, and she indicated at this time she had a gut feeling that it was him who was involved. She further stated that she felt he would have ridden his bicycle from their home on Eighth Street to the Trestle Trail Bridge. Subsequently PETERSON was turned over to OFFICER EDWARDS who responded to the scene to bring her to the police department for further assistance and questioning. OFFICER EDWARDS reports that he transported HAYLIE PETERSON back to the MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT where ultimately she was interviewed further regarding her knowledge as to what may have taken place today involving her and the shooter. OFFICER EDWARDS initially indicates that HAYLIE was extremely upset while at the police department and stated that she knew that her fiancé was the person responsible for the shooting that happened on the Trestle Trail Bridge as she had seen him on the paramedics gurney being wheeled to the GOLD CROSS ambulance and that she further recognized him by his tattoos. OFFICER EDWARDS further reports that after returning from dinner with her father, she further observed that three handguns were missing and that his cell phone was left behind. 4

6 PETERSON relates to OFFICER EDWARDS that her and the shooter were having onagain/off-again relationship problems, and she indicated that approximately 1-1/2 months ago, she called off the wedding as he was drinking alcohol all the time and that she described him as being severely depressed all the time. She discussed with the shooter the fact that she felt like they were more friends than lovers and she wanted to work on their relationship to get it back to the point where they could eventually get married again. PETERSON states that the shooter responded that he didn t see a point in life any more due to that if he didn t have her and that she was the only thing that made him happy. She stated that their discussion started around noon today and that is when he started to drink alcohol. According to PETERSON, they have been together for three years up to this point, but the last 1-1/2 years have been mostly unhappy. She indicated she met the shooter when they both were in the Air Force back in 2009 while they were stationed in Texas. Apparently they had been dating from that time when they met and that they subsequently broke up in 2010 and they had gotten back together in PETERSON indicated that the last time she saw the shooter, he was crying and told her that he doesn t feel like she loves him anymore. She stated that he started to get in his depressed mood which he is often in as he has been depressed his whole life. She indicated that he had been prescribed Prozac for a while and then Zoloft, but hasn t taken them for the last few months. She stated that she knows he has received treatment through the VA in Appleton; however, indicated he was not very good at going to seek help and following through on his health. He further did not believe that he needed counseling and had refused to continue going. She stated that it was around 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon when she discussed going to dinner with the shooter; however, he didn t feel like going. She stated that when she went to dinner, that she had not heard from him the whole time and when she returned home around 7:30 p.m., he was gone. She indicated that she had a bad feeling the whole way home from dinner that something was going to take place with him; however, she just felt that she was going to find him in their house having shot himself as he had threatened to do this many times before. When asked, she indicated that she has never reported his suicidal ideations or attempts to law enforcement. She described his bicycle as a burnt orange Motobecane fat-tired bicycle. She indicated she did not come across any notes or anything at the residence that would have been left by the shooter telling her goodbye or explaining why he had done what he did. She indicated that he has not mentioned committing suicide lately; however, indicated that is something he thinks about all the time but he just doesn t act on it. She further stated that he was planning to join the Army and was planning to go to basic training in June of this year. She indicated that the shooter told her that he wanted to join the Army so he could kill people. PETERSON revealed that at one time when they were in the Air Force together, he had told her he wanted to shoot up a 5

7 dining facility; however, those feelings had gone away. She indicated that she did not report this information to anyone as she felt it would not have done any good. PETERSON indicated that she has wanted to break up with the shooter for quite some time now; however, was afraid to do so not knowing what he might do and felt that he was a sociopath. PETERSON described the shooter s feelings recently as being homicidal based off of the comments he had stated to her about going into the Army in order to kill people. She then indicated that he stated to her that he was in a pit of despair over potentially losing her and that he was hopeless, lost and scared. She felt that he would have had a death wish and would have wanted to commit suicide by cop, as she put it. Subsequently HAYLIE PETERSON s sister, JESSICA SACK, and her father CHARLES PETERSON came to the police department to provide support for HAYLIE. Through the interview, OFFICER EDWARDS was able to learn that HAYLIE PETERSON and the shooter lived on the Eighth Street address which is her father s home along with her father. Subsequently OFFICER EDWARDS obtained Consent to Search of the residence and his interview with HAYLIE PETERSON was terminated. INVESTIGATIVE ASSIGNMENTS Due to the magnitude of the incident, assistance was requested from the WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT, NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT and the TOWN of MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT. Initial information received from the incident scene was that the individual that had been wheeled off on the paramedic gurney to GOLD CROSS AMBULANCE may have been the shooter and apparently he had been showing signs of life while being attended to by the paramedics on the deck of the Trestle Trail Bridge. Winnebago County Sheriff s DEPUTIES McMILLIN and DAHM had escorted the cot back to the ambulance. DEPUTY NICLA ended up riding in the ambulance and confirmed the identity of the shooter through both a Wisconsin Driver s License and a Military ID. Lifesaving procedures were conducted in the Emergency Room at THEDA CLARK REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER by medical staff. Subsequently Deputies were advised the individual was in fact deceased. This information had been relayed to officers on the scene of the incident. INV. MIKE BLANK and PAT PEDERSEN of the NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT were also requested to respond to THEDA CLARK REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER to assist as a female adult victim was being transported to the hospital. They were also assigned to obtain information as well as any evidentiary items that may be at the hospital. Subsequently, all the clothing from the deceased shooter, was recovered by the 6

8 WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPUTIES and turned over to OFFICER PAT PEDERSEN of the NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT. INV. BLANK and PEDERSEN of the NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT were also able to recover evidence from the female adult victim that had been transported to the hospital. She was ultimately identified as ERIN STOFFEL. Winnebago County Deputies DET. MICHAEL LICHTENSTEIGER and DET. KYLE SCHROEDER subsequently were assigned to take custody of the deceased individuals that had been located on the Trestle Trail Bridge, once the victims had been turned over to the WINNEBAGO COUNTY CORONER S OFFICE. Their assignment was to maintain custody of the bodies until such time they were delivered to the FOND DU LAC COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER S OFFICE, at the request of the WINNEBAGO COUNTY CORONER S OFFICE. The WINNEBAGO COUNTY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TEAM was requested to assist in documenting the crime scene. They were supervised by LT. SEILER of the Sheriff s Department and subsequently they were able to document the crime scene utilizing the Sheriff s Department TOP CON Total Station as well as FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE LEICA-Laser Scanner. Subsequently they generated a report regarding their crime scene documentation with these two items. On May 4, 2015 the WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT DIVE TEAM was contacted and it was requested they search an area surrounding the pavilion at the Trestle Trail Bridge where the shooting had occurred. They were requested to look for any evidentiary items that maybe related the shooting such as firearms or shell casing that may have fallen off the deck of the bridge into the water. DET. LICHTENSTEIGER and SCHROEDER were also assigned to contact a potential witness identified as, BRIAN TESCH, otherwise known as, TEBO. It was reported, TESCH had been observed leaving the Trestle Trail Bridge shortly after the shooting on a bicycle. He is also observed on surveillance video leaving the Trestle Trail Bridge into FRITSE PARK. The WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT FORENSIC UNIT was also requested to assist in this investigation with the Forensic Examination of cell phones and electronic items such as: ipad(s) and laptop(s) that were recovered in conjunction with this investigation. On May 5, 2015 SPECIAL AGENT JERRY MULLEN of the Green Bay office of the FBI was contacted and based on the circumstances of this investigation he did open a case file so he would be able to assist us in anyway necessary with this investigation. On May 5, 2015 DET. JACK THEYERL of the WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT assist us in making contact with the manager of the AMERICAN MINI- STORAGE located at 700 Midway Rd., Menasha, WI., in order to search a storage 7

9 facility which had been rented by the shooter in the past. It was reported he was currently storing some of his personal belongings there. CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION At approximately 9:30 p.m. on May 03, 2015, investigating officers, who would be assigned to process the crime scene on the deck of the Trestle Trail Bridge, assembled in an area adjacent to the pavilion on the bridge where the shooting occurred. Investigators had been given the all clear signal from the initial on-scene officers. The following investigating officers were assigned to process the crime scene; from the MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT, LT. RON BOUCHARD, INVESTIGATOR MARK MAUTHE and INVESTIGATOR STEPHANIE GRUSS. From the TOWN OF MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT, the following officers were assigned to assist in processing the crime scene, LT. SCOTT BLASHKA, INVESTIGATOR JASON FEUCHT, and INVESTIGATOR CHRIS ANDERSON. From the NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT, the following officers were assigned to assist with the crime scene processing, CAPTAIN HOWARD FEURST, SGT. CHRIS SIEVERT, OFFICER JEREMY BAUMAN, OFFICER ADAM STREUBEL, and OFFICER JONATHON KUFFEL. LT. FEURST and SGT. SIEVERT were initially assigned to a secondary crime scene, which was on the west end of the Trestle Trail Bridge, into FRITSE PARK along the trail where the victim ERIN STOFFEL had been tended to by medical personnel. Items of clothing and biological evidence were located at this crime scene that required documentation and collection. They also were assigned to recover biological samples from the deck of the Trestle Trail Bridge which led away from the main crime scene at the pavilion in a westerly direction towards FRITSE PARK. Investigators had been notified by the dispatch center that a severe storm was heading in our direction and that we should be prepared for strong winds, lightning, hail, and thunder along with heavy rain. An initial observation of the crime scene is as follows, the entire incident appears to have happened in the area of the main pavilion near the center span of the Trestle Trail Bridge. The pavilion can be best described as being a bump-out from the main trail with a covering or a roof over it. There were also several benches that are mounted to the deck of the pavilion at this point, where people can sit. Also, both east and west of the pavilion are bump-outs where individuals would be able to gather and sit. On the main trail or deck of the Trestle Trail, two individuals are observed lying on the deck; both are reported to be deceased. They were in the main walkway of the Trestle Trail Bridge, just outside of the pavilion. One victim is a young, female who was lying on her back, with her legs crossed and her arms at her sides. She is later identified as OLIVIA STOFFEL. There appears to be pools of blood surrounding the body of this victim as well as what appears to be gunshot wounds to the 8

10 victim. It should be noted that the individuals head was facing in a westerly direction while her feet were facing to the east. It was reported later that this was not the position that the body was found in, that when responding officers and paramedics responded, they did find this particular individual in a face down position and did roll her over to determine if there were any signs of life. The second individual was an adult, white, male individual; he was just to the east of the female victim, lying face down on the deck of the main portion of the Trestle Trail Bridge just outside of the pavilion. The individual s right arm was bent in an upward position where his hand was resting near his head and his left arm was bent in a downward position and his hand was resting near his left hip. There was also pooling of blood in the area around the body and there were signs of trauma to the body resembling gunshot wounds. Lying on the deck of the main part of the Trestle Trail Bridge, just to the west of the female victim, there was an orange colored baseball cap. The male individual was later identified as JON STOFFEL. Underneath the main portion of the pavilion, lying on the deck, between two sets of park benches that were mounted to the deck, was another male individual who was deceased, lying face down with his head facing to the west and his feet facing to the east. The individual had appeared to have fatal gunshot wound. This individual was later identified as ADAM BENTDAHL. Just to the south of this individual, propped up against a park bench was a burnt orange bicycle with large fat tires. Subsequently, this item was recovered as evidence by the MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT. On the very south end of the pavilion towards the end of the deck, there was a pooling of blood and adjacent to this, to the east of the blood was a camouflage type military satchel with a semi-automatic handgun partially sticking out of it with the slide locked back and next to it was a small, black revolver as well as a white colored ipod electronic device. It was reported to investigating officers that this item had also been moved and that this was the position that the shooter had been located in. It was reported that the shooter had a gunshot wound to the head and that the pooling of blood that was found at the south end of the pavilion on the deck was where his head had been positioned when officers arrived at the scene. It was further advised that the camouflage satchel, ipod, and black revolver had been located next to his body and that initial responding officers moved it further away from his body, in an easterly direction on the deck for safety purposes. Subsequently, the crime scene was photographed by INVESTIGATOR GRUSS. Investigators were receiving additional reports of a severe storm that was heading in our area. Arrangements had been made for protective canopies to be brought out to the crime scene; however, it was apparent that they would be inadequate in protecting the crime scene, therefore, investigating officers were assigned to various tasks to help expedite in the collection of property at the crime scene. See the list of evidence that was recovered at the crime scene as a result of this crime scene investigation. 9

11 Once the crime scene was processed, the WINNEBAGO COUNTY CORONER s OFFICE was requested at the scene. CORONER BARRY BUSBY and one of his deputies, CHERYL BREMER (sp) did respond to the scene and took custody of the three victims from the deck of the Trestle Trail Bridge. The bodies of the victims were transported to the FOND DU LAC MEDICAL EXAMINERS OFFICE and were escorted by two sheriff s department deputies. In addition to the three victims that were found at the crime scene, a large amount of empty shell casings, which were later to be found to be 9mm shell casings were found on the deck of the Trestle Trail Bridge. The orange cap, as well as some other items such as sunglasses and phones were also recovered from the crime scene. Once again, please refer to the list of items that were recovered from the crime scene. Once the crime scene had been processed by investigating officers the location of all evidence as well as the bodies was marked on the deck of the Trestle Trail and the scene was turned over to LT. SIELER of the WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT who subsequently was able to document the positioning of the evidence and bodies utilizing the WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT Accident Reconstruction Team. Both the Total Station and LEICA-Laser System were used in this process. The crime scene was held throughout the night and early morning hours and OFFICERS VERKUILEN and GOLLNER, who are Evidence Technicians with the MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT, were assigned to check the crime scene for evidence that may have not been detected during the hours of darkness when the initial incident occurred. Subsequently, they did in fact recover some biological evidence as well as bullet fragments from some of the railing posts that hold up the railing to the Trestle Trail Bridge. 10

12 FRITSE PARK SURVEILLANCE VIDEO: VIDEO RECORDING SYNOPSIS: The video was obtained from the TOWN of MENASHA PARK DEPARTMENT, which is from the surveillance camera located within the pavilion at FRITSE PARK, which faces the east towards the Trestle Trail Bridge. The video itself picks up an area roughly to the east side of the pavilion all the way to the start of the Trestle Trail Bridge, which is to the east of the pavilion, and some distance to the left, which would be the north, and to the right which would be the south, of the trail leading up to the Trestle Trail Bridge. The video was viewed and revealed the following information: Prior to the shooting, individuals can be observed exiting and entering the Trestle Trail Bridge as well as other individuals utilizing the park area within FRITSE PARK. At some point, it becomes apparent something is occurring on the Trestle Trail Bridge as individuals that are near the bridge start to abruptly move away from the bridge, some of them actually running. Some individuals are also observed coming off of the bridge at various points and time. Once this behavior is noted, a short while later a person comes off of the bridge onto the trail in FRITSE PARK, travels for a short distance towards the pavilion and collapses on the ground. It is believed at this point, this individual would be ERIN STOFFEL. Shortly after she collapses, several individuals are observed running towards her to assist her. Through other police video and 911 calls, we are able to identify some of these individuals. One of the individuals is identified as JEFFREY WOLFGRAM and the other individual is identified as SERA BUCK. A third individual is identified as ROBERT KROLL. ROBERT had also been one of the individuals to make a 911 call. As the video progresses, you can see individuals walking back towards the area as if they wanted to see what was going on. Subsequently you can see responding officers and EMS personnel responding to the scene. BODY CAMERA VIDEO OF OFFICER CHAD GRUENSTERN OF THE NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT: OFFICER GRUENSTERN s video starts out where he had been at a different call and received a call for assistance at the Trestle Trail Bridge in Menasha. Subsequently OFFICER GRUENSTERN responds and ends up at FRITSE PARK in Menasha where he meets up with OFFICER SEELY MOE of the TOWN of MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT and subsequently joining them was OFFICER MEGAN HICKEY and OFFICER CHRIS BRANDT of the TOWN of MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT. 11

13 In viewing the video you can observe the officers making the approach to the Trestle Trail Bridge and while utilizing the protection of ballistic shields they advanced to the pavilion area on the Trestle Trail Bridge where they observed several people down the deck near the pavilion and under the pavilion and it was at this point they begin to check the individuals for signs of life. Subsequently it was determined three of the individuals appeared to be deceased while one individual on the southside of the pavilion, closest to the water or railing, had agonal breathing. BODY CAMERA VIDEO LT. KATHY VOELKER OF THE NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT: The next video that was observed was the body camera of LT. KATHY VOELKER of the NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT. In viewing her video, you can observe her pulling into FRITSE PARK and driving up to the walking trail between the pavilion and the entrance to the Trestle Trail Bridge. LT. VOELKER focuses her attention to an injured female lying on the trail. In viewing the video, you can observe LT. VOELKER approaching the injured female who was later identified as ERIN STOFFEL and her wounds are being attended to by an individual later identified as, SERA BUCK. SERA was applying pressure to some wounds ERIN STOFFEL had, that were bleeding profusely and she continued to maintain pressure and comfort to ERIN STOFFEL throughout this process. LT. VOELKER is also trying to calm the victim, ERIN STOFFEL, down and talks to her throughout this process and does learn from her through conversation that she had been shot by an individual on the Trestle Trail Bridge and that her husband and daughter were also shot and were on the deck of the Trestle Trail Bridge. Directly next to ERIN STOFFEL and SERA BUCK is JEFFREY WOLFGRAM, who is holding onto and comforting SELAH STOFFEL. You can observe that WOLFGRAM is holding the child in such a manner that she is still within ear shot and close to her mother; however, he is shielding her with his body, from the sight of her injured mother. Throughout the video, LT. VOELKER is providing information and requesting EMS services as well as other information. Subsequently, EZRA STOFFEL, the other child of ERIN and JON STOFFEL, is brought over to his mother and reunited with his sister SELAH. This is done with the assistance of OFFICER JESSICA TROCHINSKI of the NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT, who subsequently takes both of the children into protective custody to her squad car and transported the children to THEDA CLARK REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER. Subsequently, ERIN STOFEEL is transported to the hospital by GOLD CROSS AMBULANCE. 12

14 TASER AXION BODY CAMERA OF OFFICER MEGAN HICKEY OF THE TOWN OF MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT: OFFICER HICKEY, once it was determined there were no signs of life in three of the four people and the fourth individual was being attended to, she took the opportunity to scan the incident scene with her video camera which allowed investigators later on to confirm the positioning of the individuals on the bridge and the other evidence which was also present. AUDIO RECORDING EZRA STOFFEL: Investigators were able to listen to an audio recording of EZRA STOFFEL that was taken by ROBERT KROLL, who had encountered EZRA after he had run off the Trestle Trail Bridge. ROBERT had located EZRA near the family car attempting to get inside as he was frightened. ROBERT was able to comfort EZRA and in asking him what had occurred, he also recorded EZRA utilizing his cell phone. The audio recording captured EZRA explaining it s not safe there, he wanted to leave, and his father and sister were dead and they had been shot. VIDEO IDENTIFIED AS SG-22 IS A RECORDING OF THE BRIAN TESCH aka TEBO INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY THE WINNEBAGO COUNTY SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT: TESCH had been identified as a potential witness to this incident as he had been observed leaving the Trestle Trail Bridge by Town of Menasha officers as they were arriving on the scene. It should be further noted TESCH is also observed on the surveillance video from FRITSE PARK, loitering in the area of the pavilion as officers and rescue personnel arrived on scene. Subsequently, he was one of the individuals who were required to be patted down by officers and also a backpack he was carrying had been subsequently searched by officers. It was learned through the interview that TESCH had entered the Trestle Trail Bridge on this particular day and subsequently ended up on the bump-out to the Trestle Trail Bridge, which is down from the main pavilion area, to the east towards the City of Menasha side. He generally indicated he had been sitting there when he heard the gun shots and subsequently heard the commotion. He indicated eventually he got on his bicycle and headed westbound, back towards FRITSE PARK, to leave the Trestle Trail and when he came upon the pavilion area he observed the two victims down on the main trail just outside the pavilion and the other two individuals down on the deck under the pavilion. He indicated the individual that was furthest to the south appeared to have been hyperventilating as he was lying there. 13

15 WITNESS INTERVIEWS At this point in time based on witness information it is believed that the only living eyewitnesses to the actual shooting event would be the victim ERIN STOFFEL and her two surviving children identified as EZRA STOFFEL and SELAH STOFFEL. Many of the witnesses that had come forward after the shooting event had reported seeing an individual standing on the Trestle Trail Bridge at the pavilion near his orange bicycle for anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour prior to the shooting. Some witnesses indicate that the individual appeared to be just standing, staring off over the water from the Trestle Trail Bridge. Based on the descriptions that were provided it is believed that this individual was, in fact, the shooter. Other witnesses indicated that they observed two male individuals talking together in the Trestle Trail Pavilion just prior to the shooting. And based on their description of the individuals it is believed to be ADAM BENTDAHL AND the shooter. A group of individuals that had been on the bridge prior to the shooting had been taking cell phone photographs of each other sitting on the park benches that are mounted to the deck of the Trestle Trail Bridge underneath the pavilion. In one of the photographs that officers were able to recover showed a picture of a couple sitting on the park bench and in the background you could see a male subject identified as the shooter standing on the deck next to his bicycle. Several witnesses indicated that they were nearby on the Trestle Trail Bridge when gunshots rang out and subsequently they ran from the area of the gunshots at the pavilion leaving the Trestle Trail Bridge and were unharmed. On May 6, 2015 at approximately 9:00 a.m. INVESTIGATOR GRUSS and INVESTIGATOR MAUTHE of the MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT were able to interview ERIN STOFFEL for the first time at THEDA CLARK REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER. Investigators were able to learn that the STOFFEL family had arrived in the parking lot of FRITSE PARK and parked their van there, and indicated that they entered the Trestle Trail Bridge from the FRITSE PARK side and continued to walk east on the bridge going past the pavilion and traveling down towards Menasha. At some point in time they turned back and were heading back westbound towards their vehicle in FRITSE PARK. ERIN reports that EZRA was walking first in line ahead of them and that he was walking their dog. A short distance behind EZRA was their daughter SELAH. ERIN indicated that she was next in line followed by JON and OLIVIA who were a short distance behind her and apparently were together. ERIN indicated that as her family was approaching the pavilion area of the Trestle Trail Bridge she heard a loud bang; however, didn t recognize what it was. She indicated that she kept walking and as she got next to the pavilion the two younger children, EZRA and SELAH were almost past the pavilion on the Trestle Trail Bridge. She stated as she came into the pavilion area JON and OLIVIA were not quite there. She stated that when she looked to her left towards the pavilion she observed a male person lying on the, what she described as planks, between the two benches and that there was a male standing over him who had something in his hand which he started to put into some type of a bag that he was carrying. She indicated that this male subject that had this item in his hand that was standing looked up and saw ERIN and the family and while he was still standing by 14

16 the benches he said something to the effect of, you didn t see anything, and almost simultaneously brought the item that he had in his hand out of the bag and at that point he started to shoot all of them. She indicated that from what she remembers, both she and JON were shot almost simultaneously. She indicated that she saw him fall down and then she saw her daughter OLIVIA fall down. She indicated that it was this point that her husband JON said something about forgiving the shooter. ERIN indicated that after being shot she had fallen down to the deck of the Trestle Trail Bridge; however, she was able to get back up and she knew that SELAH was right by her and she grabbed SELAH s hand and started running towards FRITSE PARK. It was also at this time that she had been yelling for her son EZRA, who had been ahead of them, to run off the bridge. She indicated she remembered running off the Trestle Trail and asking people for help. Besides the audio recording of EZRA STOFFEL by ROBERT KROLL the children were additionally interviewed by OFFICER JESSICA TROCHINSKI of the NEENAH POLICE DEPARTMENT shortly after the incident had occurred. OFFICER TROCHINSKI had been one of the initial responding officers to FRITSE PARK on the night of the incident, May 3, She reports that in her response to FRITSE PARK at some point in time she was pulled aside by an unknown female who indicated to her that she had a small boy with a dog in her van that had come running off the Trestle Trail Bridge asking for help stating his dad and his sister were dead and his mom had gotten shot. The unidentified female had put the child in her van along with her children and she indicated she had not seen anyone else with this small boy. OFFICER TROCHINSKI was brought over to the woman s van where she was able to first meet with EZRA STOFFEL who also had their family dog with him. She reports that EZRA was cowering in the back corner of the van and was crying. EZRA was, at this point, pleading with OFFICER TROCHINSKI to take him to the police department because it was unsafe in the park. EZRA indicated to OFFICER TROCHINSKI that his dad and sister were dead and his mom was shot and he just wanted to leave. Subsequently, EZRA was able to point out where his mom and sister were and he was brought over by them which was on the trail leading up to the Trestle Trail Bridge. This is where LT. KATHY VOELKER as well as EMS personnel were on scene tending to EZRA s mother ERIN. It was at this point when EZRA and his sister SELAH were reunited. OFFICER TROCHINSKI was able to arrange for a secure room at the hospital for the children to remain at until other family members could respond to take custody of them. Clothing and refreshments were provided for the children. OFFICER TROCHINSKI was able to build a rapport with both EZRA and SELAH during her contact with them and was able to interview them while at the hospital waiting for relatives to arrive. EZRA indicated to OFFICER TROCHINSKI further that his mother ERIN, his dad JONATHAN, his sister OLIVIA, who he said was eleven, and his other sister SELAH and their dog SAMMY had gone to FRITSE PARK and parked their van and went out onto the Trestle Trail Bridge. EZRA stated they walked out on the bridge towards the Menasha side to look at some ducks and started heading back towards FRITSE PARK because they were going to play in the playground. EZRA stated as 15

17 they were walking he was in front along with his sister SELAH. His mom, dad, and OLIVIA were walking a little behind him. EZRA stated he heard banging sounds that sounded like fireworks and also heard what sounded like a missile going past him and hitting the bridge. EZRA stated he turned around and looked and saw his dad and his sister were down. EZRA stated his dad and sister died, then his mom started running and she got shot and was bleeding. SELAH was able to confirm what EZRA was saying and also indicated she just remembers running as fast as she could with her mom while her brother EZRA ran up ahead with the dog. SELAH stated she heard the sounds of what sounded like fireworks too and saw that her dad and her sister were dead and her mom was bleeding because she was shot. Both EZRA and SELAH had been checked over for injuries and none were detected. Another witness that had been interviewed by LT. SCOTT BLASHKA was ROBERT KROLL. KROLL, in his statement, had further indicated that while in FRITSE PARK towards the west end of the Trestle Trail Bridge, he had also heard what he thought were bullets flying through the air in FRITSE PARK. Another interview that was conducted occurred on Sunday, May 3, 2015 by LT. JASON SEVERSON of the TOWN OF MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT. He reports that some point in time an individual identified as CHARLES PETERSON approached him and indicated that he believed that the person responsible for the shooting was a man that was dating his daughter. CHARLES stated his daughter and her boyfriend lived with him on Eighth Street in the city of Menasha. He further reports to SEVERSON that the two of them had gotten into an argument earlier today and that both of them were in the military and that the shooter suffers from PTSD. CHARLES had indicated to LT. SEVERSON that the shooter is depressed and will not seek help and that he drinks a lot. He further reports that the shooter has been out of control before and had pointed a gun at his family. CHARLES indicated that he had made the shooter remove the guns from the home after that particular incident. CHARLES reported to SEVERSON that after the argument today the shooter had gone and retrieved guns out of the home and then left on his bicycle. He further reported that his daughter had come to the east side of the bridge and saw the shooter being wheeled off the bridge on an ambulance cot. She had believed that it was he fiancée based on all of his tattoos. CHARLES further reports that the shooter s bicycle is a larger bicycle with big tires. CHARLES had subsequently been directed to the MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT to reunite with his daughter HAYLIE PETERSON. Another individual that had been interviewed on May 3, 2015 while at the MENASHA POLICE DEPARTMENT was JESSICA SACK who reports to be the sister of HAYLIE PETERSON. She indicates in her statement that around one year ago she met the shooter for the first time. She indicated initially both her sister HAYLIE and the shooter were extremely upbeat and happy and then after he moved to Wisconsin JESSICA reports that she saw a huge change in the shooter s attitude. She stated he became very negative and extremely obsessive about guns and he drank alcohol excessively all the time. She reports an incident, as she describes a major incident, at a family 16

18 camping event in the summer of 2014 where he pulled a gun out and put it to his head because they were fighting. He ran into the woods and they were able to find him a short time later and he was unharmed, but at that point he promised to stop drinking and remove his handguns from the house. She reports that the shooter stayed sober for about six months or so but in the last month he started drinking heavily again. She reports that she has always had concerns with his moods and drinking but never thought it would come to something like this. She stated that over the last eight months he has become more distant from the family and JESSICA reports that she feels he was becoming more depressed. She indicated that HAYLIE had concerns about their relationship and told JESSICA that she was afraid to break up with him as she thought he would do something bad. Not towards others but towards himself. She further indicated that HAYLIE and the shooter postponed their wedding plans and he recently decided to join the National Guard. She indicated that a couple months back at a family dinner outing he made a comment that the reason he was joining the Infantry was so that he could kill people. She indicated that the shooter was clearly depressed and had alcohol issues and was not willing to get the help that he needed. She further reports that he was really not happy with anything in his life other than his gun collection and that is really the only thing he ever talked about. GUNSHOT WOUNDS The following is the gunshot wound accounting as previous reported to the media upon their request; THE SHOOTER: (1) Gunshot Wound ADAM BENTDAHL: (1) Gunshot Wound JOHNATHON STOFFEL: (7) Gunshot Wounds OLIVIA STOFFEL: (3) Gunshot Wounds ERIN STOFFEL: (3) Gunshot Wounds TOXICOLOGY FINDINGS THE SHOOTER Toxicology findings by the St. Louis University Berkeley, Missouri indicate a gm% of Ethanol in the blood of the shooter. The results reflected negative on the drug screen. 17

19 AUTOPSY RESULTS Results received to date. JOHNATHAN STOFFEL: Cause of Death: Multiple Gunshot Wounds Manner of Death: Homicide OLIVIA STOFFEL: Cause of Death: Multiple Gunshot Wounds Manner of Death: Homicide ADAM BENTDAHL: Cause of Death: Gunshot Manner of Death: Homicide THE SHOOTER: Cause of Death: Gunshot Wound to Head Manner of Death: Suicide SUMMARY OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH REPORT FOR THE SHOOTER On June 4, 2015 we received information regarding the shooter s behavioral health history. After an extensive review of the records, it showed the shooter, while in the AIR FORCE on the west coast, had either sought out or had been ordered to a number of behavioral health interventions over the years he was enlisted. His initial contacts with medical and behavioral personnel were in 2009 regarding concerns of alcoholism and alcohol use. None of those evaluations resulted in a diagnosis of alcoholism; however, it appears there was on-going intervention regarding his drinking at that time. Starting in October 2010, he had gone into the behavioral health clinic for a 60 minute emergency walk-in. At this time he indicated he was concerned about the increase frequency and intensity of his mood swings and indicated he was, Fed up with the lack of control over his emotions and how he feels (sometimes more than a week at a time). He indicated his last suicidal ideation, at that time, was approximately 2-3 weeks ago; however, he had fleeting thoughts of feeling overwhelmed that have lasted a few minutes. At the time, he had no specific plan, preparation or intent to harm himself. At that time he had also denied any homicidal ideations currently and in the past but did add when he becomes irritable, he tends to be on edge and wants to fight people more often. However, usually he walks away from the situation. At that time his suicidal risk was determined as mild and his homicidal risk was determined as non-significant at that time. 18