WASHBURN COUNTY -- The Court has accepted pleas of No Contest from the Eau Claire, WI man who was charged criminally following the Washburn County shooting incident that occurred in the 2019 deer hunting season.
DrydenWire previously reported in June 2020 that felony charges had been filed against Tanner Boettcher, of Eau Claire, WI for his involvement in a shooting incident that occurred in Washburn County in November 2019 during the deer hunting season.
The victim who sustained gunshot injuries was able to call 911 from his phone following the shooting. The victim stated that at least 2 individuals were seen in the vicinity of the shooting, however, when the victim shouted out for someone to help, no one came to the victim’s location.
The subsequent investigation into the shooting identified Boettcher as an individual involved. According to the criminal complaint, a juvenile was also allegedly involved, however, due to confidentiality requirements, the juvenile was not identified in the complaint.
When investigating Wardens conducted interviews with Boettcher, he stated that the juvenile had shot towards what was thought to be a deer and after realizing that a person had been struck by the gunshots, Boettcher and the juvenile left the area without offering aid to the victim.
Boettcher was charged with Class D Felony First Degree Reckless Injury, Party to a Crime; Misdemeanor Obstructing an Officer, Party to a Crime; and Misdemeanor Hunter/Fail/Duties/Accidental Shooting, Party to a Crime.
At a hearing on December 2, 2020, Boettcher entered a plea of No Contest to an amended charge of Class G Felony Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Party to a Crime; and also pleaded No Contest to his charges of Misdemeanor Obstructing an Officer, Party to a Crime; and Misdemeanor Hunter/Fail/Duties/Accidental Shooting, Party to a Crime.
Online circuit court records show that The Court accepted a 2-year Deferred Sentence Agreement regarding Boettcher’s felony charge of Class G Felony Second Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Party to a Crime. The Court also ordered a 2 year withheld sentence with probation on Boettcher’s convictions for Misdemeanor Obstructing an Officer, Party to a Crime; and Misdemeanor Hunter/Fail/Duties/Accidental Shooting, Party to a Crime.
Although details of his probation conditions were not listed in online circuit court records, it does state that the Court ordered Boettcher to comply with all conditions of probation imposed by the Department of Corrections.
Due to the strict confidentiality of juvenile records, no information regarding any alleged involvement of a juvenile in this incident is available for public review.
Last Update: Dec 03, 2020 2:01 pm CST
