May 25, 2023 at 12:14 p.m.
Woodruff man charged with attempted homicide in parking lot shooting
Bail set at $100,000
Woodruff man charged with attempted homicide in parking lot shooting
Andrew B. Geisler made his initial appearance in Oneida County Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon on two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide and one count of possessing a firearm while intoxicated.
All of the charges are felonies.
In a press release issued Monday morning, Minocqua police chief Dave Jaeger said officers with his department, along personnel from the Woodruff Police Department and deputies from the Oneida and Vilas county sheriff's departments, "responded to the Wal-mart parking lot on Northridge Way in Minocqua for the report of gunshots."
Upon officers' arrival, investigation determined that the situation stemmed from a domestic situation, according to the release. There were no injuries as a result of the gunshots.
Jaeger said the shooter, later identified as Geisler, had left the scene and was taken into custody at his residence.
According to the criminal complaint filed Tuesday, two people reported Geisler shot at their vehicle several times and a well-timed duck prevented serious injury or death.
"He just wasn't aiming into the air to scare me," one of the two alleged victims told police. "It was right at my (expletive) head if I wouldn't have gone on the ground."
The complaint also indicates Geisler may have been intending to fight one of the two individuals in the parking lot. A handgun, several gun cases and six gun magazines with bullets in them were found during a subsequent search of Geisler's residence, the complaint states. The complaint also states a gun was found in Geisler's vehicle.
Citing the "incredibly aggravated nature" of the allegations, assistant district attorney Jillian Pfeifer requested a high cash bond.
"The defendant fired ten rounds at the vehicle, all hitting the vehicle," she told Oneida County circuit judge Mike Bloom. "He was inches away from one of those bullets striking Victim 2."
When asked if he had anything to say on the issue of bond, a visibly emotional Geisler shook his head.
Bloom noted that he had reviewed a number of search warrants related to the case and was familiar with the circumstances.
He agreed with the state that the conduct in question was "aggravated" and set bond at $100,000 cash.
"Despite the fact that apparently no person was actually injured as a result of the defendant's conduct, the conduct is aggravated," he said.
Conditions of bond include absolutely no consumption of alcohol, no possession of firearms and surrender of passport within 24 hours of release.
An adjourned initial appearance was scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Friday, June 2.
Attempted first degree intentional homicide carries a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison. Possession of a firearm while intoxicated carries a maximum penalty of nine years in prison.
Brian Jopek of the Lakeland Times contributed to this report.
Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].
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