Crandon, Wisconsin Shooting
Mass Shooting Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Crandon, Wisconsin
TIME PERIOD
October 7, 2007
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
The case involves a mass shooting that occurred at approximately 2:45 a.m. CDT on October 7, 2007, during a post-homecoming party at a duplex in Crandon, Wisconsin. The perpetrator, 20-year-old Tyler James Peterson, a deputy sheriff, shot and killed six individuals, including his former girlfriend, Jordanne Michele Murray, before committing suicide. The motive appears to stem from a personal dispute among the party attendees. Investigators identified significant evidence, including an AR-15 style rifle and a Glock 22 used in the attack, marking this incident as the first recorded mass shooting in the U.S. involving an AR-15. The case remains a pivotal reference point in discussions about gun violence and mass shootings in America.
The primary theory surrounding the Crandon shooting is that a personal dispute involving Tyler Peterson and his former girlfriend, Jordanne Michele Murray, triggered the violence. Some speculate that Peterson's emotional instability and access to firearms as a law enforcement officer contributed to the tragic outcome. Additionally, there is a belief that the incident reflects broader issues regarding gun access and mental health in the context of mass shootings in the U.S.
The Crandon Shooting: A Tragic Night in Wisconsin
A Fateful Night
In the early hours of October 7, 2007, a small town in Wisconsin was thrust into a nightmare that would haunt its community forever. At approximately 2:45 a.m. CDT, a mass shooting erupted during what was supposed to be a joyful post-homecoming party inside a duplex in Crandon. The perpetrator, 20-year-old Tyler James Peterson, a full-time deputy with the Forest County Sheriff’s Department and a part-time officer with the Crandon Police Department, embarked on a violent rampage. By the time the chaos subsided, six people lay dead, a seventh was critically injured, and Peterson himself had committed suicide.
The Shooter
Tyler James Peterson was no stranger to the Crandon community. Born on March 6, 1987, he graduated from Crandon High School in 2005 and joined law enforcement on September 11, 2006. Despite his trusted positions, Peterson's actions that night were fueled by a personal vendetta. Among the victims was Jordanne Michele Murray, his former girlfriend, and many speculated that a recent breakup had ignited his fury.
The Attack
Peterson arrived at the party shortly after 2:30 a.m., equipped with an AR-15 style rifle and a Glock 22. Not on duty, he entered the apartment complex, exchanged heated words with the partygoers, and then returned to his car to retrieve his rifle. Unleashing his anger, he kicked down the door and began firing indiscriminately. He shot three individuals in the living room, another in the kitchen, one more outside a closet, and yet another inside it. The last to be shot was Charlie Neitzel, who begged Peterson to cease the gunfire. Despite being shot, Neitzel pretended to be dead, receiving three gunshots but ultimately surviving.
Chaos and Pursuit
The aftermath was pandemonium. Peterson spotted Officer Greg Carter driving towards the scene. In a frenzied response, Peterson sprayed bullets at Carter’s windshield, causing injuries from shattered glass. Carter, realizing the peril, reversed his vehicle and retreated. Peterson fled, misleading authorities with false reports of his location.
Later that day, Peterson was tracked down to a friend’s cabin in Argonne, about seven miles north of Crandon. Holding his friends hostage until 12:30 p.m., Peterson eventually attempted to escape into the woods. Initially thought to have been killed by a sniper's bullet, it was later confirmed that Peterson had ended his life with three self-inflicted gunshots using his Glock, after being wounded in the arm by a police sniper.
The Victims
The tragedy struck hard at the heart of Crandon, claiming the lives of:
- Aaron Smith, 20
- Bradley Schultz, 20
- Jordanne Michele Murray, 18
- Katrina McCorkle, 17
- Lianna Thomas, 17
- Lindsey Stahl, 14
Charlie Neitzel, the sole survivor, was discharged from the hospital on October 17, 2007.
Aftermath and Community Impact
In June 2008, the duplex where the murders occurred was demolished, erasing the physical reminder of the terrible event. However, the emotional scars remained. Families of the victims filed a lawsuit against the city, accusing it of negligence for allowing Peterson access to weapons without a mental health assessment. The case was dismissed, and the families were ordered to pay $21,000 in legal fees, a decision that left many feeling that justice had not been served.
A Dark Legacy
The Crandon shooting marked a grim milestone in American history, being the first recorded mass shooting involving an AR-15 rifle in the U.S., a weapon that has since been used with increasing frequency in similar tragedies. The Crandon community continues to grapple with the loss and the questions left unanswered by such inexplicable violence.
Sources
For further details on this tragic event, please visit the original Wikipedia article.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting Occurs
Tyler James Peterson kills six people at a homecoming party before committing suicide.
Peterson Confronted by Police
After the shooting, Peterson is confronted by police at a friend's cabin, where he holds hostages.
Peterson Commits Suicide
Tyler James Peterson dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after a standoff with police.
Survivor Released from Hospital
Charlie Neitzel, the lone survivor of the shooting, is discharged from the hospital.
House Demolished
The house where the shooting took place is demolished.
Victims' Families Sue
Families of the victims file a lawsuit against the city for negligence in allowing Peterson access to weapons.
Lawsuit Dismissed
A judge dismisses the lawsuit filed by victims' families and orders them to pay legal fees.
The case involves a mass shooting that occurred at approximately 2:45 a.m. CDT on October 7, 2007, during a post-homecoming party at a duplex in Crandon, Wisconsin. The perpetrator, 20-year-old Tyler James Peterson, a deputy sheriff, shot and killed six individuals, including his former girlfriend, Jordanne Michele Murray, before committing suicide. The motive appears to stem from a personal dispute among the party attendees. Investigators identified significant evidence, including an AR-15 style rifle and a Glock 22 used in the attack, marking this incident as the first recorded mass shooting in the U.S. involving an AR-15. The case remains a pivotal reference point in discussions about gun violence and mass shootings in America.
The primary theory surrounding the Crandon shooting is that a personal dispute involving Tyler Peterson and his former girlfriend, Jordanne Michele Murray, triggered the violence. Some speculate that Peterson's emotional instability and access to firearms as a law enforcement officer contributed to the tragic outcome. Additionally, there is a belief that the incident reflects broader issues regarding gun access and mental health in the context of mass shootings in the U.S.
The Crandon Shooting: A Tragic Night in Wisconsin
A Fateful Night
In the early hours of October 7, 2007, a small town in Wisconsin was thrust into a nightmare that would haunt its community forever. At approximately 2:45 a.m. CDT, a mass shooting erupted during what was supposed to be a joyful post-homecoming party inside a duplex in Crandon. The perpetrator, 20-year-old Tyler James Peterson, a full-time deputy with the Forest County Sheriff’s Department and a part-time officer with the Crandon Police Department, embarked on a violent rampage. By the time the chaos subsided, six people lay dead, a seventh was critically injured, and Peterson himself had committed suicide.
The Shooter
Tyler James Peterson was no stranger to the Crandon community. Born on March 6, 1987, he graduated from Crandon High School in 2005 and joined law enforcement on September 11, 2006. Despite his trusted positions, Peterson's actions that night were fueled by a personal vendetta. Among the victims was Jordanne Michele Murray, his former girlfriend, and many speculated that a recent breakup had ignited his fury.
The Attack
Peterson arrived at the party shortly after 2:30 a.m., equipped with an AR-15 style rifle and a Glock 22. Not on duty, he entered the apartment complex, exchanged heated words with the partygoers, and then returned to his car to retrieve his rifle. Unleashing his anger, he kicked down the door and began firing indiscriminately. He shot three individuals in the living room, another in the kitchen, one more outside a closet, and yet another inside it. The last to be shot was Charlie Neitzel, who begged Peterson to cease the gunfire. Despite being shot, Neitzel pretended to be dead, receiving three gunshots but ultimately surviving.
Chaos and Pursuit
The aftermath was pandemonium. Peterson spotted Officer Greg Carter driving towards the scene. In a frenzied response, Peterson sprayed bullets at Carter’s windshield, causing injuries from shattered glass. Carter, realizing the peril, reversed his vehicle and retreated. Peterson fled, misleading authorities with false reports of his location.
Later that day, Peterson was tracked down to a friend’s cabin in Argonne, about seven miles north of Crandon. Holding his friends hostage until 12:30 p.m., Peterson eventually attempted to escape into the woods. Initially thought to have been killed by a sniper's bullet, it was later confirmed that Peterson had ended his life with three self-inflicted gunshots using his Glock, after being wounded in the arm by a police sniper.
The Victims
The tragedy struck hard at the heart of Crandon, claiming the lives of:
- Aaron Smith, 20
- Bradley Schultz, 20
- Jordanne Michele Murray, 18
- Katrina McCorkle, 17
- Lianna Thomas, 17
- Lindsey Stahl, 14
Charlie Neitzel, the sole survivor, was discharged from the hospital on October 17, 2007.
Aftermath and Community Impact
In June 2008, the duplex where the murders occurred was demolished, erasing the physical reminder of the terrible event. However, the emotional scars remained. Families of the victims filed a lawsuit against the city, accusing it of negligence for allowing Peterson access to weapons without a mental health assessment. The case was dismissed, and the families were ordered to pay $21,000 in legal fees, a decision that left many feeling that justice had not been served.
A Dark Legacy
The Crandon shooting marked a grim milestone in American history, being the first recorded mass shooting involving an AR-15 rifle in the U.S., a weapon that has since been used with increasing frequency in similar tragedies. The Crandon community continues to grapple with the loss and the questions left unanswered by such inexplicable violence.
Sources
For further details on this tragic event, please visit the original Wikipedia article.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting Occurs
Tyler James Peterson kills six people at a homecoming party before committing suicide.
Peterson Confronted by Police
After the shooting, Peterson is confronted by police at a friend's cabin, where he holds hostages.
Peterson Commits Suicide
Tyler James Peterson dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after a standoff with police.
Survivor Released from Hospital
Charlie Neitzel, the lone survivor of the shooting, is discharged from the hospital.
House Demolished
The house where the shooting took place is demolished.
Victims' Families Sue
Families of the victims file a lawsuit against the city for negligence in allowing Peterson access to weapons.
Lawsuit Dismissed
A judge dismisses the lawsuit filed by victims' families and orders them to pay legal fees.