Posted on 11/22/2004 6:56:07 PM PST by quietolong
Deadly Shooting Spree Update
November 22, 2004
Andrew Fefer
The Sawyer County sheriff says there are thousands of acres of public land in that area available for hunting, but the dispute took place at midday Sunday on four-hundred acres of private land.
When the landowner saw 36-year-old Chai Vang in a tree stand without permission, he radioed to his hunting party.
"He stated over the radio he was going to go and ask the persons to leave," said Sheriff Jim Meier. "He approached the person and asked him to leave at which time the landowners and occupants of the cabin that he was staying at also came on the scene; the suspect got down from the stand, walked about 40 yards, fiddled with his rifle, maybe took the scope off, turned, and opened fire on the group."
That's when Terry Willard radioed for help, but as seven other people came to assist, they became victims as well. Finally, a few other members of the party were able to make a run for help.
"The rescuers, who also came under fire, checked the bodies for signs of life and they grabbed who they could grab and got out of there because they were still under fire."
As the survivors sped toward Birchwood, the shooter reportedly stayed in the woods for another five hours, his exact movements not clear until he was seen by two other hunters.
"They came upon the subject, he reported he was lost, they didn't realize who they were talking to, so out of the goodness of their hearts, they gave him a ride back out at which time they had realized they had Mr. Vang in their presence and offered him a ride to the warden's truck, at which time he was taken into custody."
The suspect, Vang, was described as calm and cooperative, saying nothing that would indicate what specifically led to the gunshots that left victims, dead and wounded, scattered over an area of about a hundred yards.
Who Is Chai Vang?
(November 22, 2004)
Paige Pearson
We are learning more about the Sawyer County shootings suspect, Chai Soua Vang.
The thirty-six year-old St. Paul resident is reportedly a truck driver, a father of six, and served in the U-S army.
Though Vang's background isn't entirely clear, his criminal history is, and includes multiple run-ins with Twin Cities law enforcement.
St. Paul police have responded to four incidents at Vang's Fourth Street address. The matters have involved domestic abuse and possible thefts.
On December 24, 2001 Minneapolis police brought Vang in on a charge of 2nd Degree Assault. The victim said Vang made threats while waving a gun. The charge was later dropped.
Just the same, Vang's brother says the entire family is in a state of disbelief.
"I was shocked, I thought I was in a dream or something. I thought I'd wake up and nothing would be wrong," says Vang's brother who wished to be unidentified.
Vang was with a couple of other people while in the Sawyer County area. Sheriff's officials are trying to locate them for questioning.
Sawyer County Shootings
November 22, 2004
Trevor Luetke
A press conference held at 9:30 this morning at the Lakeview Hospital in Rice Lake released information on the patients conditions. The three survivors, all from Barron County, were all taken to Lakeview Medical Center in Rice Lake.
Denny Drew was shot in the stomach from close range. Drew underwent a three hour operation to stop internal bleeding and repair tissue damage. He is currently in critical condition and officials say his condition is improving. Lauren Hesebeck was shot in the arm, the bullet exited out the top of his shoulder. Hesebeck is in stable condition at this time. Terry Willers was hit in the neck. Because of his injury, he was flown to St. Joe's Hospital in Marshfield.
The Sawyer County Sheriffs Department will also be holding a press conference in Hayward at 1pm today to give more information on the case. TV13 will interrupt regular broadcasting to bring that press conference to you LIVE.
Shooting Weapon
(November 22, 2004)
Anna Wagnild
The type of rifle used in Sunday's shootings is a semi-automatic SKS rifle, a gun considered to be popular among hunters. It typically holds a magazine with ten shots and is relatively inexpensive to operate.
A local firearms expert says because the SKS is light and has less recoil than many other rifles, it is a suitable hunting rifle for smaller individuals. Many hunters also use it for target practice.
"You'd be surprised how many people have SKS's," says John Naser. "I know people who have three or four of them. It's not going to be painful to shoot, and yet it's still effective."
Naser says the design was used by communist countries in the 1950s and is used for distances of 100 yards or less.
Help For Hunting Victims Families
November 22, 2004
A fund has been set up for the families of survivors and victims of the hunter shootings in Sawyer County.
Contributions can be sent to:
Rice Lake Hunters Survivors and Victims Funds
Dairy State Bank
16 S. Main Street
Rice Lake, WI 54868
Five hunters were shot and killed and three others wounded Sunday after a confrontation with a deer who apparently entered private property. The 36-year-old St. Paul man is being held in the Sawyer County jail at Hayward.
Looks like a hate crime to me...
It didn't say he was convicted did it? I can't believe he wasn't especially with the domestic abuse record.
If he gets off on an insanity plea, they better change his name and gender and relocate him to another country. He will have a bunch of people looking for him
I would beg to differ - my Chinese-made SKS has been BY FAR the most reliable semi-auto I have ever owned. It will shoot, without complaint, every ammo I have thrown at it - from "name brand" stuff, to the mill-surp and Russian bulk ammo. And quite honestly, there are some domestic semi-autos that I wouldn't trade my SKS for a dozen of. (OK- maybe a dozen of them - I could sell them and make a major profit!). Particularly I'm referring to the Mini-14 and Mini-30 by Ruger. And at $100 bucks when I bought it - It's been a whole lot of fun to shoot - and is a great rifle for my wife to carry when she has gone out to the deer woods with me - no recoil and accurate enough at 100 yds or less for anything she's going to shoot at.
Wisconsin hasn't had a death penalty since 1853.
Isn't it amazing that race hasn't been mentioned. Oh, that's right, it can't be a hate crime because minorities can't be racist. Only white people.
The msm focus is: Gun + Hunting + Rednecks+ Murder = Story.
The gun used is irrelevant. They would be just as dead if shot with the shotgun given to kerry.
Let's watch this develop. Race will become an issue in his defense strategy. He really being the victim, naturally.
I wonder if that dude ate some beef and he acquired "mad cow" disease!
And yet still he was armed to the teeth?
* except when dealing with the IRS, of course
Just heard on the newsbreak on Rush's show the reason given for his shooting the hunters was he was called "racially derogatory" names.
Can't wait to see what he does to his 300 pound, weightlifting, mass-murderer boyfriend in prison.
What an absolutely disgusting post. I think we have a troll here.
You waited over a year to post such drivel and now you're gone. Good bye, troll.
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