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UPDATE: Murder Victims, Suspect Identified In Chippewa County Shootings

Deceased: two adult females, two adult males, and one juvenile male

UPDATE: Murder Victims, Suspect Identified In Chippewa County Shootings

CHIPPEWA COUNTY -- Sheriff James L Kowalczyk held a press conference today updating the community on the two related shooting incidents in Chippewa County.

Sheriff Kowalczyk stated they were investigating "two very tragic incidents" that resulted in the deaths of five individuals.  Four of the deceased were victims of homicide. The fifth was from an apparent suicide.

The 4 Victims were identified as:

  • Bridget German - 66
  • Douglas German - 32
  • Laile Vang - 24
  • Calvin Harris - 8

The Perpetrator has been identified as:

  • Richie G. German Jr. - 33

Village of Lake Hallie incident

The Sheriff said that at 10:30p Sunday night dispatch received several calls for assistance regarding shots being fired. Upon arrival, the "scene was secure and the incident was over." It was determined at that time nobody else was in harm's way.

The deceased at this scene were:

  • Richie G. German Jr. - 33
  • Laile Vang - 24

A vehicle was discovered at the residence, listed to the brother of German Jr.  After a short investigation, authorities went to the residence of the address of the vehicle as to why that vehicle was parked at the residence in Lake Hallie.

Town of Lafayette incident

The Sheriff stated that upon arrival in the early morning hours of Monday, July 29, nobody answered the door. After gaining entry, they found 3 more victims that were shot and killed at this residence.

The deceased victims at this scene were:

  • Bridget German - 66
  • Douglas German - 32
  • Calvin Harris - 8

German Jr, had been living at this residence for a number of years.

Sheriff Kowalczyk said that based on the investigation, the homicide of these three at this residence was on or before Saturday morning.

The Sheriff added that there is no clear motive and they are continuing the investigation to find that answer.


**Previous Post**

Suspected Shooter Among 5 Dead In Chippewa County Shooting Incidents

DrydenWire.com l Monday, July 29, 2019

CHIPPEWA COUNTY -- Authorities are investigating a shooting incident on Sunday night in the Village of Lake Hallie where two people were discovered deceased. They are also investigating a connected incident on early Monday morning in the Town of Lafayette where three more people were discovered deceased of an apparent homicide. The suspected shooter is also one of the deceased, according to a press release from the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office.


Press Release -- On July 28th 2019 the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call requesting EMS and Law Enforcement in regard to a shooting incident at a residence in the Village of Lake Hallie.  Upon Law Enforcements arrival we discovered two deceased, a adult male and female. Two other adults at the residence suffered gun shot injuries.  The two adults were transported to a area Hospital and at this time are being treated for their injuries.  

At around 2:30am Chippewa County Deputies went to the residence of one of the deceased in the Town of Lafayette to make contact with family members.  Upon entry of the residence Law Enforcement discovered three other gun shot victims (all deceased) of an apparent homicide.


  • Incidents: Village of Lake Hallie and Town of Lafayette Death/Homicide Investigations.
  • Law Enforcement: Chippewa County Sheriff's Department, Lake Hallie Police Department and the State of Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigations.
  • Village of Lake Hallie incident: reported at 10.27pm on 7-28-2019
  • Chippewa County Town of Lafayette incident: reported at 2:40 am on 7-29-2019 
  • Victims/Deceased: Two adult females, two adult males and one juvenile male.  

The shooter/gunman is suspected in both homicide investigations. The suspected shooter is also one of the deceased. 

At this time residents in the Village of Lake Hallie and Chippewa County are not in harms way. These investigations will be followed up with more details as the investigations continue.

Sheriff James L Kowalczyk

Last Update: Jul 31, 2019 7:05 am CDT

Posted In

Crime & Court

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