Posted on 11/24/2004 9:44:22 AM PST by LouAvul
HAYWARD, Wis. – The man suspected of shooting six hunters to death and a survivor agree that the tragedy began with a confrontation on private land. But they sharply differ on what happened next.
Survivor Lauren Hesebeck told investigators Chai Vang, 36, of St. Paul, Minn., turned around after a verbal exchange and started shooting his rifle from 40 yards away.
But Vang told Sawyer County investigators he began firing only after one of Hesebeck's hunting buddies, Terry Willers, shot at him with a rifle from about 100 feet away and missed. Vang, a Hmong immigrant from Laos, also claimed the hunters taunted him with racial slurs and warned him he would be reported to law enforcement for being on private land, according to a document filed Tuesday.
Hesebeck's version, contained in the same statement, makes no mention of that type of language or verbal hostility, other than saying Vang used profanity at one point.
Hesebeck, who was released from a hospital Tuesday after treatment for a shoulder wound, told investigators Willers shot at Vang after Vang fired first but missed.
Both accounts agreed that Vang shot the others as more people from the deer camp arrived at the scene, summoned by Hesebeck using a walkie-talkie to call for help.
Vang said he continued firing as the group scattered, and at one point chased one of the hunters and shot him in the back, only to find the man had no gun, the document states.
Authorities have said there was only one gun among the victims. According to investigators, it's believed Vang fired at least 20 shots.
Hesebeck told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis on Tuesday that much of what he had heard in news media reports about the shootings was not accurate.
"A lot of it is not true," he said. "But at this point, I just can't discuss anything." Members of his family and another victim's family had planned to talk with reporters Wednesday but canceled the news conference.
Sunday's shootings occurred after Vang got lost while hunting, climbed into a tree stand on private property and then got into the confrontation with Willers and others hunting with him.
The victims were part of a group of about 15 people who made their annual opening-weekend trip to the 400-acre property co-owned by Robert Crotteau and Willers.
Killed were Crotteau, 42; his son, Joey Crotteau, 20; Al Laski, 43; Mark Roidt, 28; Jessica Willers, 27; and Denny Drew, 55, all from the Rice Lake area. Terry Willers, Jessica's father, remained hospitalized Wednesday in good condition.
Vang was arrested about four hours after the shootings as he emerged from the woods with his empty semiautomatic rifle. Five people died in the woods; a sixth died Monday in a hospital. Two others were wounded.
Hmong 'Condemn These Atrocities'
There have been previous clashes between Southeast Asian and white hunters in the region. Hunters have complained the Hmong do not understand the concept of private property and hunt wherever they want. The tension once led to a fistfight in Minnesota, and a Hmong bow hunter in Wisconsin this fall reported having at least two white hunters point guns at him.
About 24,000 Hmong live in St. Paul, the highest concentration of any U.S. city. Hmong leaders condemned the shootings and offered condolences to victims' families.
"What happened in Wisconsin is in no way representative of the Hmong people and what they stand for," said Cha Vang, no relation to the suspect.
"We stand before you as representatives of the greater law-abiding Hmong community to unconditionally, unconditionally, condemn these atrocities."
New details about Vang began to emerge Tuesday.
Military records obtained by The Associated Press show he spent six years in the California National Guard and earned a sharpshooter qualification badge. But his primary role during his time in the Guard, from 1989-95, involved clerical duties.
After his discharge, he spent two more years in the Individual Ready Reserve. His records also include a Good Conduct medal.
Circuit Judge Norman Yackel ordered Vang jailed Tuesday on $2.5 million bail. He ruled that evidence submitted to him was sufficient to hold Vang on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, pending the filing of formal charges.
I love cultural diversity as much as the next guy, but this is ridiculous. America's gonna sink from the weight.
Unlike the Muslims, the Hmong condemn their own criminals.
The important question everyone should be asking is whether or not anyone got a buck....
Please tell me that this guy is not a naturalized citizen.
If he is a citizen and "doesn't understand private property rights" we've got a major, major qualification problem. I understand, though, that he has been here since he was 12, so even if he isn't a citizen we have a huge educational problem.
Vang said he continued firing as the group scattered, and at one point chased one of the hunters and shot him in the back, only to find the man had no gun, the document states.
Chasing the unarmed and shooting them in the back?
America's gonna sink from the weight
As Bush is determined to give amnesty to millions of others that are in our country illegally, as millions more continue to pour in. While we are left holding the bag.
"The important question everyone should be asking is whether or not anyone got a buck.."
VERY insensitive remark. I'm glad none of the victims were your relatives!
Hmong are basically good people. They aren't on a jihad against this country. Every group has a few nutcases.
You already have a huge problem. Every freaking elected body with imminent domain rights has a problem understanding "individual property rights".
Somehow I am confident you wouldn't be saying this if your Dad or boy had been shot through the back of the head by this import.
ROFLMAO! If they did we'd know it. Statements to police would go something like, "And right after I shot that 10-pointer I heard shooting" or "I had just pulled the trigger and dropped the prettiest buck you ever saw. I heard shots and went to investigate ... When do you think I can go back to the scene and get my buck?"
He's a hmong away from home.
Not many minority leaders will stand up and do the right thing.
So9
What does this mean... THE DON'T UNDERSTAND???
Are they calling the Hmong population freakin' MORONS?
"About 24,000 Hmong live in St. Paul
I love cultural diversity as much as the next guy, but this is ridiculous. America's gonna sink from the weight."
The population of Saint Paul is around 300,000. 8% is not going to sink anything. If you add in the population of the entire Twin Cities Metro area (a lot of Hmong have moved to the suburbs), it's even less of an impact.
This Chai Vang guy is a bad actor. He broke a bunch of laws, and now six people are dead. He should be punished. He is Hmong. That does not mean that the Hmong people, in general, are murderers in the making.
Uhhh yeah out of the article you decide to take issue with 24,000 immigrants? Ohhh yeah I guess the Irish population back in the late 1800's was a real threat to America as well. . .
What a stupid comment.
"Please tell me that this guy is not a naturalized citizen.
"
He is, and a veteran. He moved here from California, speaks English very well. He's a criminal. Being Hmong did not make him a criminal. He is simply a criminal.
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A no hunting or trespassing sign is posted November 24, 2004 near the cabin in the area where eight hunters were shot November 21, 2004 in Sawyer County, Wisconsin, leaving six dead and two wounded. Chai Soua Vang from St. Paul, Minnesota is being held in the Sawyer County Jail with bail set at $2.5 million after Circuit Judge Norman Yackel found probable cause that Vang committed six counts of first degree homicide and two counts of attempted first degree homicide. REUTERS/Allen Fredrickson |
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LOL. I want to know why there were 8 or more hunters but they only had one gun.
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