APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Charges have been filed against the 28-year-old Appleton man who was taken into custody after police responded to a shots fired complaint on the city’s north side Tuesday.
Ger Thao faces one felony count apiece of Attempted First Degree Homicide and First Degree Reckless Injury, five felony counts of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, and one misdemeanor Bail Jumping charge.
Officers found a 35-year-old Manitowoc man shot outside an apartment building when they arrived near the intersection on the 2900 block of North Union Street at 1:06 pm.
The victim was taken to the hospital with a lower-body injury that is non-life threatening.
According to the criminal complaint, Thao went up to an apartment unit, shot the patio door, stepped inside, and fired another round.
The gun reportedly jammed, and people proceeded to flee the area.
Soon after, Thao allegedly reopened fire.
Prosecutors say Thao was angry with people in the building who “talk trash about him, give him a hard time, say he is crazy, and have talked about beating him up.”
Thao reportedly bought the gun in March but waited to carry out the shooting until Tuesday, the day 401k funds cleared the bank and could be given to his mother.
After speaking with witnesses, officers quickly developed a suspect and took Thao into custody around 2:30 pm at the Riverside Cemetery. He was visiting his father’s grave.
Thao’s preliminary hearing is set for May 4.
He has also been charged with two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct for a pair of alleged March incidents.
Prosecutors claim he entered a woman’s home and also pounded on a door with a wooden club.
