January 3, 2022 at 12:59 p.m.
'Premeditated homicide' charge filed in connection with shooting death of Rhinelander native
According to the Gogebic County sheriff's office, deputies and Michigan State Police Troopers responded to a cabin in Marenisco Township at approximately 1:15 a.m. Dec. 24, 2021 following a report of a shooting involving two victims.
"Responding officers entered the cabin and were able to apprehend the suspect without incident," the sheriff's office reported in a press release.
One victim, later identified as Austin Fletcher, 22, of Irvine, Calif., was transported to Aspirus Ironwood Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound. He was later transported to Duluth, Minn. where he was treated and released.
The second victim, Thomas R. Fletcher, 49, of Marensico, and formerly of Rhinelander, was pronounced deceased at the scene. According to Fletcher's obituary, he was born in Rhinelander in January 1972 and was a 1990 graduate of Rhinelander High School. The obituary also states that Austin Fletcher is Thomas Fletcher's son.
The suspect, identified as Nicholas Millard of Spring Mills, Pa., is being held in the Gogebic County Jail on a $1 million bond. Various media reports have identified Millard as Thomas Fletcher's stepson, however the River News cannot independently verify the information.
Gogebic County prosecutor Nicholas Jacobs has authorized the following charges to be filed against Millard: first degree premeditated murder, assault with intent to murder and two counts of weapons-felony firearm.
The homicide charge carries a life sentence.
According to online court records for Gogebic County's 98th District Court in Bessemer, Millard is due in court Jan. 5 for a probable cause conference.
A full obituary for Thomas Fletcher is published on Page 3.
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