WASHBURN COUNTY -- The Court has ordered a $25,000 cash bond for a Spooner, WI man who is facing felony charges following a shooting incident that occurred in the City of Spooner around 4p on September 28, 2020, according to a press release from the Spooner Police Department.
When officers arrived at the residence where the shooting incident occurred, the victim of the shooting had driven away. The victim was located by Law Enforcement at the Spooner Emergency Room and was airlifted to a medical facility in Duluth, MN, where a bullet was removed, according to a criminal complaint filed in Washburn County Circuit Court. The condition of the victim is not known to DrydenWire at this time.
Officers located Brandon Bartle at the residence and confirmed that he lived there. Officers asked him what happened, and according to the criminal complaint filed against him, he stated that the victim of the shooting had come to the residence to pick up some belongings. Bartle went on to state that the belongings were at the end of the driveway because the victim had sent a text message stating, “payback is a b*tch” and Bartle didn’t want the victim coming up to the residence.
Bartle went on to state that he confronted the victim outside the residence and that although the victim was told not to come up to the residence, the victim started walking up the driveway and wouldn’t stop. Bartle told the Officer that he "didn't intend to shoot [Victim #1] exactly, but I guess I did.", states the criminal complaint.
Officers placed Bartle in handcuffs at that time, locating a pipe for smoking marijuana in his pants pocket. After being read Miranda rights, Bartle agreed to answer further questions; going on to tell the Officers that the victim of the shooting had been sent multiple threatening text messages as well as verbally threatening. He also stated that some of his own property had gone missing during the period of time when the victim was allowed to store property at the residence.
When asked if he intended to shoot the victim, Bartle answered "ah, no, I thought I was going hit the ground, I thought a rock skipped up and got [Victim #1] at first.", going on to say that he “just wanted [Victim #1] to turn around and get away from my house."
The criminal complaint goes on to state that Law Enforcement spoke with the victim prior to being airlifted. The victim told Officers that after arriving at the residence to pick up the property, the victim realized that some of the property had been rained on and also that some property was still near the residence by the garage. The victim sent a text message to a witness at the residence stating that they wanted to retrieve the property that was by the garage but was told to wait by the truck while the witness checked if the property was there.
The victim went on to state that after that, Bartle came out of the residence with a firearm and told the victim “get off my property”, and shortly after that, fired one shot which struck the victim. When asked if it was a real bullet, the victim stated that Bartle said "What, you got a little bullet inside you, big deal.", and then asked if the victim wanted a ride to the hospital. After calling the police, the victim drove to the hospital.
A witness at the residence confirmed that they heard some yelling between Bartle and the victim and then heard a single shot fired.
Bartle is charged with Class D Felony First Degree Reckless Injury which has a potential maximum sentence of 25 years confinement in state prison He is also charged with Misdemeanor Possession of THC (Marijuana), and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Online circuit court records show that at a hearing on September 29, 2020, the Court ordered a $25,000 cash bond for Bartle which was posted a few days later. Bartle is scheduled to have an initial appearance for his charges on October 12, 2020.
Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Last Update: Oct 12, 2020 2:01 pm CDT
