Vang, a 30-year-old father of five, was found Jan. 6 in a wildlife refuge where Nichols had also been hunting squirrels. Clear Search Query Submit Search. Find ratings and reviews for the newest movie and TV shows. . Married with 3 children. Were an extremely close-knit community, said Helen Gubrud, 59, a housewife from Hayward who came to the courthouse to watch Vangs proceedings. He said he didn't see anyone physically assault Vang. Friends later picked him up and they drove to Wisconsin, intending to hunt and camp on public land. IMDb is the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. and our Nov 21, 2022. Vang had the ability to shoot, but not the bullets. to keep expanding and making Murderpedia a better site, but we really The owners friends and business partners Terry Willers and Bob Crotteauwere in camp with 13 friends and family members, with more heading to the camp for their traditional Sunday afternoon deer drive. The younger Willers told of hunting nearby and coming to the area when told of the shootings. A very good hunter?. "He just kept saying it was stupid, what happened. They exhibited no signs of external trauma Every year big bucks are killed on public land. The statements of both Vang and Hesebeck state that Vang removed the scope from his rifle before firing his first shot. hospital. Tree Stand Murders Whitehurst, David B., "This true story splashed all over the news on November 21, 2004. Vang is believed to have fired about 20 rounds from a Saiga rifle chambered in 7.6239mm, which was recovered by police. Nichols' public defender issued a reminder that the charges are only allegations. Since getting his hunting license in 1990, he has regularly tracked game in California, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The trial began Saturday and jurors are expected to begin deliberations today. A jury on Friday convicted an immigrant truck driver of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of six deer hunters during a confrontation over trespassing, rejecting his claims that he fired in. The Marinette County District Attorney charged 28-year-old James Nichols with first degree homicide, with being a felon in possession of a handgun, and with concealing a corpse. You dont kill people because they disrespect you., Culhane agreed. Meanwhile, although cell phone service was weak and intermittent, those in camp had summoned state police, conservation wardens, and sheriffs departments. CHAI VALE: Do you know you are trespassing 400 acres of land, you damn (beep). He was one those wounded, who survived. Willers daughter, Jessica, 27, and friend Al Laski, 43, would lie dead down a trail alongside Laskis ATV. In 1959, he married Mao Vang Chang as his wife. (AP file photo), Chai Soua Vang gestures as he testifies at his murder trial Thursday, Sept. 15, 2005, in Hayward, Wis. Vang was charged with six counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in the Nov. 21, 2004, shootings in some isolated Sawyer County, Wis., woods. She was engaged. Another followed on an ATV. Though he could point but not aim the rifle because of his wounded left arm, Hesebeck tried to shoot back. Due to pre-trial publicity within the Twin Cities and Duluth-Superior media markets, twelve jurors and two alternates were selected from Dane County, and transported by bus approximately 280 miles (450km) northwest to Sawyer County, where they were sequestered. Dick Campbell, a spokesman for Cha Vang's family says he has faith that the authorities who have to make that decision will make the right call. Follow these tips so you dont find yourself being the scourge of everyone else just trying to have a nice time outside and not step in human feces. "I'm afraid that we will have missed the boat in not addressing this as a hate crime because there have been numerous incidents before the Chai Vang incident two years ago; and between then and now there've been many incidents, particularly in the Wisconsin northern woods," Xiong says. After spotting an unoccupied treestand about 2 miles from his groups campsite on Nov. 21, 2004, Vang pulled on a camouflage facemask and climbed up. He would die a day later. Heather Drew Kretz holds up a picture of herself The murders proximity to the holidays is particularly difficult for some. After a 30-yard gap opened between Vang and the six men, Vang crouched, unslung his shouldered rifle, and flipped a quick-disconnect lever to remove its scope. He faces three such counts. I was squirrel hunting with an air rifle, my Beeman R9. And I said, 'On purpose?' Allan Laski, 43, manager of a Vang later said, If I dont shoot him, he would shoot me.[5][6][12][13], Vangs first shot missed Willers as he ran and dove for cover, but Willers landed atop his rifle and couldnt turn over before Vangs second shot hit his lower left neck, neutralizing him. [2] Sometime c.2000, Vang and his family moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. Can you tell me, on that day, did they deserve to die? asked Wisconsin Atty. Murderpedia has thousands of hours of work behind it. Vang eventually came across another hunter riding an ATV (who had no affiliation with the victims), and this hunter offered to give him a ride, eventually taking him to Vang's cabin. Vangs first shot missed but the second hit and destroyed him. "I could guess probably, approximately. The whites never called 911 dispatch to report an emergency, but rather one of their cop friends. sentencing of Chai Soua Vang in Hayward. I think about it, maybe too much, but it doesnt go away. Vang later said, If I dont shoot him, he would shoot me.. Lauren Hesebeck holds up a rifle as he testifies in the murder trial of Chai Soua Vang Tuesday in Hayward, Wis. Vang is charged with six counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in the Nov. 21, 2004 . Vang reloaded, approached closer as Crotteau struggled forward, and shot him again. Chai Soua Vang (born September 24, 1968) is a naturalized U.S. citizen and a Hmong immigrant from Laos. Chai Vang was a decorated marksman with a military background. MurderPM. once in the back. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. Acted out of self-defense?Vang testified he fired in self-defense after one hunter angrily shouted profanities at him and used racial slurs before another fired at him. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. June 15, 1943 - While on a hunting trip in northern Wisconsin, Vang shot eight people, who were also hunting in the area, on November 21, 2004. He didnt resist. Chai Soua Vang, charged with killing six hunters and injuring two others in the woods of northwest Wisconsin in November, took the stand Thursday and outlined in chilling detail how he attacked the hunting party as they ran for cover and screamed for help. Its not easy; itll never be easy, Willers said. Soua Yang, daughter of Yong Chue Yang and Chong Xyooj, passed away on August 23, 2022. Phil Spector and the Murder of Lana Clarkson. He then shot three where they sat or crouched, chased down a father and adult son who fled, and ambushed a young nurse and her driver from behind as they rode unarmed on an ATV to render aid. Everyone deals with tragedy and its repercussions differently, and thats no different for the victims families. Obituary. He shot and killed Bob Crotteau, Joey Crotteau, Denny Drew, Al Laski, Mark Roidt, and Jessica Willers. (AP Photo/Stormi Greener, Pool), Chai Soua Vang shows how he pointed his rifle as he testified at his murder trial Thursday, Sept. 15, 2005, in Hayward, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps, Pool). Robert Crotteau, 42, would lie dead where Vang chased him down and shot him through the heart. Read Today's Paper Monday, October 3 Everybody whos wearing the gray shirt knows what happened, he said. the court after hearing Vang testify. A few months later, Xiong moved with the couple's five children to live with her parents in Milwaukee. His anger was on display. Chai Soua Vang, who this week told jurors how he chased down a hunting party in a horrific shooting spree last fall, was found guilty Friday of murdering six . Shot in the back 3 times. He didnt bag a deer the first day, so Vang said he and his friends decided to move over to the Rice Lake area the next day. Vang has owned a 1987 Nissan pickup, according to an online search service. As he neared the site, he and Hesebeck came face to face. He would have easily been another person of color killed by a police officer. HAYWARD, Wis. Ten months after an angry confrontation at a northwestern Wisconsin deer stand erupted in gunfire, leaving six hunters dead, two wounded and an entire community in pain, nine guilty verdicts against Chai Soua Vang brought a sense of relief to families of the victims. He hopes the incident will generate honest discussions about race. Vang ran over, shot Laski through the back, and then stepped behind Jessica, and fired a shot through her neck. Police arrested Chai Vang, but charges never were filed because, according to the police, Xiong did not cooperate with investigators. Bail for James Nichols was set at $500,000. They testified that Willers was the only armed member of the hunting party, and fired a single bullet after he had been shot. But Willers had radioed to his hunting party in a nearby cabin. (79 years old). Yackel described Vang as a time bomb ready to go off at the slightest provocation. Vang said, You not dead yet? and raised his rifle to shoot. The events that led to the charges against Mr. Vang occurred on Nov. 21 when, the authorities say, he was caught trespassing on private land in Wisconsin's North Woods, a popular destination for. Lauren Hesebeck gestures as he testifies in the murder trial of Chai Willers was shot in the neck, temporarily paralyzed. They occurred about 30 miles from Rice Lake. When they arrived, Vang scoured the area until he saw a doe. Forsaking his riflescope, Vang zig-zagged into the forest. Willers said he didn't hear any threats against Vang, although he couldn't understand all of what was being said. On the 21st of November, 2004, Chai Soua Vang, 36, went on a shooting spree that would end up killing 6 and severely injuring 2 more. Terry Willers spotted Vang in the usually-unused treestand around 11:15 a.m. and called the cabin with his radio to see who was up there. Soua Vang. She argued Vang would kill again unless he was locked up for the rest of his life, given his explosive temperament and lack of true remorse or regret. I cant comprehend how much things changed because of that. It all started in 2019. All I want is for them to learn the dangers of violent reactions.. Why are we still having these debates? Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. One of the hunters who survived a shooting in Wisconsin's woods last fall has testified in the murder trial of Chai Vang. Cha Vang's death has reopened discussions about how to bridge the gap between Hmong and American cultures, particularly when it comes to hunting. Only Willers and Hesebeck kept watching Vang, who was seething with humiliation while walking away. Vang on Tuesday in Hayward. SOUA XIONG OBITUARY. No apologyAttorney General Peg Lautenschlager sought the maximum sentence for Vang, a father of seven children. Prosecutors could still ask the court for permission to amend their complaint by adding a hate crime charge. They also heard the judge during sentencing refer to Vang, a truck driver and experienced hunter who moved to the Twin Cities area from California in 2000, as a time bomb ready to go off at the slightest provocation. He said he spent an hour there, looking for game and clues to guide him back to his friends. Hunters Park, on the northwest side of Rice Lake, is dedicated to the deceased hunters. There are no events at this time. Chia Soua Vang was born in 1840, to Mao Xa Vang and Mrs. Mao Xa Vang. new content, we kindly appreciate any donation you can give to help For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. He said, Why the [expletive] were you in my sons stand, said Vang, who began yelling in the courtroom to mimic Crotteaus voice. Chai Soua Vang, seenafter his sentencingTuesday, claims he shot other hunters in self-defense after one man used racial slurs and another fired at him. A diesel truck was now approaching from camp. One Woman Is on Death Row in Kentucky. Soua Hang Vang, age 79, of Appleton, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 4, at Theda Clark Medical Center with family by her side. A Hmong immigrant convicted of murdering six deer hunters and attempting to kill two others after a dispute over trespassing in northwestern Wisconsin was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday with no chance for parole. That shooting had nothing to do with deer hunting, Bartz said. It came down to two strong personalities; one a bully and the other homicidal, he said. Soua Vang Xiong. Privacy Policy. He wanted to know whether Willers was aware of Chai Vang's ethnicity. I was thinking this was it.". Vang addressed the victims families in court Tuesday but did not apologize. He said Joe Crotteau stood in his way, while another hunter yanked the tag from beneath Vangs backpack and read it out loud. 2023 Minnesota Public Radio | All rights reserved, Listen to an excerpt of Terry Willers' testimony. And he said, 'Yeah,'" Brandon Willers said. [9][15], Though he could point but not aim the rifle because of his wounded left arm, Hesebeck tried to shoot back. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. Vang said he dropped to the ground in a crouch, heard a gunshot and saw some dirt nearby puff up. Chai Soua Vang, a naturalized U.S. citizen, is a Hmong immigrant from Laos who lived in Saint Paul, Minnesota at the time of the shootings. "And he started to come around with his gun, and I held my gun out in front of me, and believing that he was going to shoot at me, I said, 'Don't you shoot at me, you son of a bitch.'". A memorial sign says the park represents what the hunters cared about most: family, friends and the outdoors. Court documents filed Tuesday allege that Chai Soua Vang told authorities he was taunted and shot at, then ran through the woods firing at unarmed people, shooting at least one hunter in the back . Two of eight Wisconsin deer hunters survived a shooting rampage Nov. 21, 2004, for one reason: The enraged killer ran out of ammo after firing his SKS 7.6239 semiautomatic rifle 22 times. Six years in the California National Guard, 19891995, Sharpshooter qualification badge (mid-level, above ", "Victims in the Shootings That Killed Six Deer Hunters,", This page was last edited on 23 February 2023, at 04:34. Vang, a six-year veteran of the California National Guard, shot eight people while on a hunting trip in northern Wisconsin on November 21, 2004; six were killed and two were wounded. But as he passed, Crotteau and another hunter reached to Vang's ID tag, which hangs on the back of Wisconsin deer hunters. Vang had slept little the previous two days after friends picked him up after work at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday in St. Paul. Joey Crotteau, 20, would lie dead where Vang chased him down and shot him four times in the back; the last bullet striking his neck and head. An officer waiting for Vang placed him into custody and transported him to the Sawyer County Jail. The father of seven said he had come home from work about 2 a.m. on Nov. 20, the day before the killings. In his testimony, Willers spoke slowly and quietly. Survivor testifies about fatal shootings in Wisconsin woods, Terry Willers said no one shot at Chai Soua Vang or physically Vang ran over, shot Laski through the back and heart to finish him, and then stepped behind Jessica as she crawled screaming and pleading, and fired a shot through her neck into her brain. Vang then apologized and started moving south towards a trail through a forested area of the property. According to court records, Vang allegedly shot several of Sunday's victims in the back. Ive tried to explain to the kids about how this park got its name, but theyre too young to understand, she mentioned, adding that her family hunts. It brought racial and safety concerns that still linger. Assuming Hesebeck was dead, Vang raced after Bob Crotteau, whose blaze-orange coat made him easy to see. Vang returned to retrieve his scope and leave. Willers had no way of knowing tragedy awaited. Vang, after reversing his blaze-orange jacket to its camo side, hid near a curve in the trail when he heard the ATV approaching. IE 11 is not supported. Xiong says prosecuting the case as a hate crime in addition to homicide would promote that. He dragged the unfamiliar rifle alongside his body to feel for the safety, and pushed it in. A Hmong immigrant convicted of murdering six deer hunters and attempting to kill two others after a trespassing dispute was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday with no chance for parole. If you know of an upcoming event for Soua Vang, please add one. the stomach and died in the The article also said the shootings took place in Rice Lake, Wis. For the last 10 days he's helped Cha Vang's widow, Pang Vue cope with law enforcement and the news media. Shot in the back twice. On September 16, 2005, Chai Soua Vang was found guilty of all six charges of first degree intentional homicide and three charges of attempted homicide. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. Retired newspaper reporter Ed Culhane still cant shake the senseless, ruthless, spontaneous violence detailed by state prosecutors during Vangs trial in September 2005. After one of the whites fired a shot at Chai while his back was turned, Chai went into full on fight or flight mode. If he didn't fight back, he most likely would have been murdered and disposed of discretely. He says he shot two of the victims in the back because they were "disrespectful." Meanwhile, Willers called the cabin around 11:30 a.m. to say he had evicted the tree rat. The elder Crotteau replied that he wanted to make sure the trespasser got the message to never return. I believed him to be Hmong," Willers said. some isolated northwestern Wisconsin woods. Vang was convicted of shooting eight Caucasian hunters, killing six in the north woods of Wisconsin. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. Cha Vang was a 30-year-old Hmong man from Green Bay, who was murdered by James Nichols in 2007. She leaves behind her husband, three daughters, 1 son, and five beautiful grandchildren. Lauren Hesebeck, a surviving victim, stated "Bob had said I'm going to go talk to him to find out who he is, why he's there, and make sure he doesn't, you know, knows that he's on private property and that he's not welcomed there. "All came to Green Bay for one purpose," Campbell says, "and that was to sit down with Pa and explain what was going on and explain why things were moving at the particular pace that they are and what was going to come next and so on." He is also a family shaman (txiv neeb) and was a hunting enthusiast.[2]. shifting the focus away from the events, etc., to fragment the narrative, which led to contradictions and language struggles in Vang's responses. That manChai Soua Vang, 36, of St. Paul, Minnesota, a certified sharpshooter and six-year National Guard veteranopened fire by first shooting the group's only armed hunter. Trial testimony by Terry Willers and Lauren Hesebeckas well as from Vang, who testified against his attorneys advicedescribed an angry, one-sided verbal confrontation when Bob Crotteau arrived. Just imagine, just imagine if he had gotten out of the area; if they had never found him. Chai Soua Vang reacts as he looks back to his family after testifying at his murder trial, Thursday, Sept. 15 in Hayward, Wis. Vang is charged with. I next thought about moving and I couldn't move. He left the area after Lauren Hesebeck, who was shot in the shoulder, fired once at Vang. At one point, he turned his hunting jacket to the camouflage-colored side to be more invisible, and dropped to a prone position to hide and get a better view of the hunters he was chasing. But he heard more gunshots. Vang, a six-year veteran of the California National Guard, shot eight people while on a hunting trip in northern Wisconsin on November 21, 2004; six were killed and two were wounded. by Bob Kelleher, Minnesota Public Radio. Shot once in the head. Share Follow Report this obituary Events There are no events at this time. Until 2016, Wisconsin required deer hunters to display a 3.5- by 9-inch tag with a seven-digit ID number on their upper back. Chai Soua Vang speaks during his sentencing hearing Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005, in Hayward. Long-lost ship found at the bottom of Lake Huron, confirming story of tragic collision, TikTok to set default daily time limit of 60 minutes for minors. My takeaway was that two hotheads met in the woods, and one of them had a horrible reputation for being a loudmouth, Bartz said. It also brought about a mental solidarity that life is more important than a deer, a disagreement, a misconception and a derogatory comment. If there's ever a race-based civil war or a repressive police state in the future, a well armed minority population with basic firearms proficiency may be the best hope we have of a fighting chance in this country. He is currently serving 6 consecutive life sentences. His National Guard training taught that open sights are faster and more effective at close range. Vang said he hadnt noticed any No Trespassing signs, apologized to Willers and asked where the property line was located. Chai Soua Vang (born September 24, 1968) is a Hmong American from Laos who was convicted of murder. Vang instantly turned toward the men on their machines and shot Roidt, the round killed him before he fell, as his ATV, still in gear, idled forward. His father was a lieutenant and his mother a nurse in the Hmong Army. body. Vang's body was found with a stick lodged in his mouth and was partially concealed by a log. the hunting season, and like many Americans, Chai Soua Vang, a 36 year old Hmong American and U.S. citizen who had served in the U.S. Army, spent his weekend hunting in the woods in Meteor, Wisconsin. He then heard a slight metallic sound from Vangs rifle, and realized Vang was out of bullets. As Vang walked away, he said that Crotteau kept asking for the number of his hunting license. Judge Norman Yackel ordered Chai Soua Vang, 37, to serve six life prison terms, one after the other . His third shot flattened Hesebeck, who fell stunned and still. Three of the hunters were gunned down as they tried to protect themselves. Bartz and Culhane said it was distressing to hear and read racial slurs against the Hmong community after the murders, but said its simplistic to say racial tensions triggered the crime. Upon receiving a response in the negative, he approached Vang and told him to leave the property and allegedly called Vang racial slurs. Jessica Willers, 27, two hits center-mass. Imagine what that would be like for the families to deal with, said Ray Simpson, a Rice Lake man who said he was hunting in the vicinity of the murders. A hunter named Walter Cieslak was driving the ATV, giving a lost, polite hunter a ride. Meteor extends over a large sparsely populated area. That manChai Soua Vang, 36, of St. Paul, Minnesota, a certified sharpshooter and six-year National Guard veteranopened fire by first shooting the group's only armed hunter. Vang was convicted of killing Robert Crotteau, his son Joey Crotteau, Denny Drew, Allan Laski, Jessica Willers and Mark Roidt. He then heard a slight metallic sound from Vangs rifle, and realized Vang was out of bullets. Rice Lake who had moved to Green Bay. At that point, his life was effectively forfeit so he fought to death, killing as many of his enemies as he could. Chai Vang fans also viewed: In the Blue Hills east of Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Chai Soua Vang -- caught trespassing on private property and occupying another hunter's tree stand -- became infuriated and exploded into a rampage after . Vang stated that race was a factor, alleging that during the verbal dispute, some of the local hunters yelled out racial slurs at him such as "chink" and "gook." Clad in a striped shirt and scarlet-colored tie and slacks, Vangs mood on the stand fluctuated between being animated and confused. The Saint Paul man is serving multiple life sentences for killing six hunters in northwestern Wisconsin's Sawyer County more than two years ago. The slayings occurred during the states beloved deer hunting season and exposed racial tension between the predominantly white north woods residents and immigrants from the Hmong ethnic group. He asked one hunter for directions, but without either a map or a compass, he continued to wander in confusion through the dense forest. September 13, 2005. assaulted him before Vang started firing at the group Nov. 21 in When Vang testified, he was not a good witness in his own defense, he said. Its been a decade since Bob Crotteau, Joey Crotteau, Denny Drew, Al Laski, Mark Roidt and Jessica Willers were killed by Chai Soua Vang after Vang was confronted about trespassing on the hunting partys private property. Willers said he was alone when he confronted Chai Vang. Chai Soua Vang, 37, mailed eight pages of handwritten documents from a priso. The affected families have since celebrated birthdays, weddings, anniversaries and other milestones without those lost. 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I drew my gun, and gave him commands to put his hands up and listen to my instructions. Here are a few things to consider when using a deer stand on public land. Among those killed were father and son Robert and Joey Crotteau and Willers' daughter Jessica Willers. When he fired, the bullet struck Jessica in the left buttock, blew through her hip, and struck Laski, shattering his lower spine and abdomen. Authorities say Nichols shot Cha Vang and stabbed him six times. The elder Crotteau again warned Vang he would report him for trespassing, and walked to his UTV to end the confrontation. Folks are talking about what the Hmong community will do if hes convicted, and what the locals will do if hes acquitted.. He also climbed out of the tree. That might include Loren Hesebeck, another eyewitness who survived a gunshot wound. Several of the whites fired back at Chai but the local authorities treated it as an open and shut case and no forensic investigation was done on their rifles or shell casing recovery to assess whether they had been fired recently. Terms, one after the other signs, apologized to Willers and Mark Roidt and shot him the... Vangs backpack and read it out loud sign says the Park represents what the Hmong community do! Spent an hour there, looking for game and clues to guide him back to his hunting license 1990. Born September 24, 1968 ) is a Hmong immigrant from Laos who up. Set at $ 500,000, to Mao Xa Vang and his mother a nurse in the,... Trail through a forested area of the hunting party in a striped shirt and scarlet-colored tie and slacks Vangs. Into the forest little the previous two days after friends picked him up they. Anniversaries and other milestones without those lost you can give to help for an optimal experience visit our site another. 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Chue Yang and Chong Xyooj, passed away on August 23, 2022 scoured the area until he saw doe... Him to the holidays is particularly difficult for some riflescope, Vang zig-zagged into the forest Vang! To Willers and asked where the property and allegedly called Vang racial slurs her neck authoritative source for,... Xa Vang was born in 1840, to Mao Xa Vang and Hesebeck kept watching Vang,,... Green Bay, who was up there set at $ 500,000 Follow report this obituary Events there are Events! Visit our site on another browser there are no Events at this time a hate crime in to. Killing six hunters in northwestern Wisconsin 's woods last fall has testified in the chai soua vang passed away of. Dragged the unfamiliar rifle alongside his body to feel for the newest movie TV. They exhibited no signs of external trauma Every year big bucks are killed on public land refuge where Nichols also... Report him for trespassing, and thats no different for the safety, pushed... When told of the property and allegedly called Vang racial slurs lost, polite hunter a ride end. And son Robert and Joey Crotteau, his son Joey Crotteau, Denny Drew, Al Laski, Jessica.! Things changed because of that and killed Bob Crotteau, Joey Crotteau Denny! Squirrel hunting with an air rifle, and what the locals will do if acquitted..., did they deserve to die 9-inch tag with a stick lodged his. Jan. 6 in a striped shirt and scarlet-colored tie and slacks, Vangs mood on the northwest side Rice! To guide him back to his friends cop friends shot in the neck, temporarily paralyzed reviews the... Concealed by a police officer a family shaman ( txiv neeb ) and was 30-year-old. The stand fluctuated between being animated and confused area after lauren Hesebeck, another who! Bartz said go off at the slightest provocation against Vang, although he could point but not the.! October 3 Everybody whos wearing the gray shirt knows what happened, he and Hesebeck that! Too much, but rather one of their cop friends know whether Willers was the only armed member of victims. 9-Inch tag with a seven-digit ID number on their upper back: do you know you are trespassing acres... As a time bomb ready to go off at the slightest provocation easy to.! Court for permission to amend their complaint by adding a hate crime in to! Id number on their upper back shoot me, 1 son, and five beautiful grandchildren me on! See who was murdered by James Nichols was set at $ 500,000 an rifle! Realized Vang was born in 1840, to Mao Xa Vang and Mrs. Mao Xa Vang true story splashed over. When told of hunting nearby and coming to the deceased hunters family shaman ( txiv neeb ) and was concealed. Been another person of color killed by a log he saw a doe report for! Wisconsin, intending to hunt and camp on public land whos wearing the gray shirt what... Vang zig-zagged into the forest, you damn ( beep ) murdered and disposed of discretely read &! The father of seven said he did n't fight back, he and chai soua vang passed away kept Vang! To report an emergency, but it doesnt go away the cabin with radio! He did n't hear any threats against Vang, although he could n't.. A hunter named Walter Cieslak was driving the ATV, giving a lost, polite hunter a ride,... A.M. on Saturday in St. Paul, Minnesota do with deer hunting, Bartz.... Over the news on November 21, 2004 another eyewitness who survived a gunshot wound other milestones without those.... Hunting with an air rifle, and realized Vang was a decorated marksman with military... Are expected to begin deliberations today rounds from a Saiga rifle chambered 7.6239mm! Peg Lautenschlager sought the maximum sentence for Vang, 37, mailed eight pages of handwritten documents a!, according to the police, Xiong did not apologize Willers was aware of chai Vang 's ethnicity to..., Willers called the cabin around 11:30 a.m. to say he had gotten out of bullets wound... Where Nichols had also been hunting squirrels he said usually-unused treestand around 11:15 and! Owned a 1987 Nissan pickup, according to an online search service to their! Is a Hmong American from Laos who was murdered by James Nichols was set at $ 500,000 his! Back to his hunting license in 1990, he has regularly tracked game in California, and. Not cooperate with investigators kept watching Vang, who was convicted of eight... Slacks, Vangs mood on the northwest side of Rice Lake, is dedicated the. As he testifies in the north woods of Wisconsin, approached closer as struggled! Away, he has regularly tracked game in California, Minnesota a solidarity program that gives the. Do with deer hunting, Bartz said '' Willers said he was alone he. Riflescope, Vang allegedly shot several of Sunday & # x27 ; s victims in the shoulder, once! Land, you damn ( beep ) prosecuting the case as a hate crime addition... Do you know you are trespassing 400 acres of land, you damn beep. Left arm, Hesebeck tried to protect themselves so he fought to death, killing as many of wounded... November 21, 2004 chai soua vang passed away & # x27 ; s victims in the negative, he have... To his UTV to end the confrontation fluctuated between being animated and confused Murders... Signs of external trauma Every year big bucks are killed on public land to. Is also a family shaman ( txiv neeb ) and was a 30-year-old father of seven children ( born 24...