Grant Fuhrman, left, appears in Winnebago County court Jan. 23, 2023, during jury selection. PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Two dozen people have sent letters to a Winnebago County judge ahead of Grant Fuhrman’s sentencing for stabbing Oshkosh West High School police liaison officer Mike Wissink. Many ask for leniency, but several — mostly those associated with the school — don’t want the horror they experienced forgotten.
A jury convicted Fuhrman, now 20, of attempted first-degree intentional homicide for the December 2019 incident. Fuhrman stabbed Wissink, who then shot Fuhrman, prompting the school to be evacuated.
Sentencing is scheduled May 1 before Judge Daniel Bissett. The maximum penalty would be 60 years prison system, with up to 40 years in prison, and another 20 out of prison on extended supervision.
Of the two dozen letters submitted to the court through Friday, 17 ask for leniency and understanding for Fuhrman. Seven, mostly from people connected to West High, either describe their experiences that day, its lasting impact, and/or ask for harsh punishment.
Here are some excerpts from some of the letters.
One of Fuhrman’s relatives described the pain the family has been through.
“This is a letter asking for a fair and low sentencing for a 16 year old kid, at the time, who really feels sorry and apologetic for what he did. He shouldn’t have his life thrown away for one mistake that was caused from side effects of the awful medication that Adderall is,” she said.
A friend of Fuhrman’s mother, who doesn’t know Grant personally, said she agreed with the verdict but asked for leniency.
“I believe he had the intention to do harm (non-lethal) in the hopes of ending his own life through his actions. I strongly believe Grant needs mental health assistance and that a lengthy prison sentence is not going to help him achieve improved mental health. He’s already been in prison for three years and I am sure there is some alternative to prison that would Grant be able to return to society. I ask that you please consider alternatives to prison,” she wrote.
A woman who lost her own son to suicide said she had to write on his behalf.
“I really feel for Grant. He was suicidal at a young age and couldn’t take his own life. He needed someone else to do it. Mental health is the issue here. Grant did not go into the office to commit murder, he went in there to die,” she wrote.
One woman asked the judge to consider Fuhrman’s age and mental health.
“Grant is a good person who comes from a good Christian family, he just regrettably made a bad decision. If it was your 16 year old son/grandson wouldn’t you want him to get the necessary help he needed for the problems which led up to making such a poor decision in the first place? I would simply ask and hope in making your decision when sentencing Grant that you consider some leniency on the time that he has already served for this,” she said.
But others expressed different views.
Wissink’s daughter said she will never forgive Fuhrman, but she will forget him. She said Fuhrman took away the illusion her dad was indestructible.
“Grant Fuhrman took that away from me. This has not just affected my dad, our family, but the city of Oshkosh and the students of Oshkosh West, and sadly, it did not end December 3rd of 2019. It continued days, months, years into the future. Not only was my dad attacked physically, he was attacked emotionally,” she said. “Although you did not succeed in taking my dad away from me, you still took something from me that day that I will never be able to get back and with that, I am putting this nightmare, and most importantly, you, behind me.”
A woman whose two children were in Oshkosh West that day described her horror of the events.
“I still cry when I think about it. All the feelings come flooding back. I have been following the case along with both of my children. I was happy to hear Grant was found guilty of attempted homicide because in my opinion that is exactly what it was. I believe he had every intent of hurting and/or killing someone that day. I am asking you to consider a harsh sentence for Grant. Not less than twenty years. So many lives were put in danger and so many lives were changed because of his actions,” the mom wrote.
An Oshkosh West student says she still feels the impact of that day.
“Even now, when I hear a noise (door slam, shouting, etc.,) I am jumpy and get my ‘alert’ mind set. When I go into a store, gym, church, anyplace really, I am constantly watching out for ‘what if’, along with how would I exit this place is something happened. If people come into my office quickly, I jump in my chair a bit and people say sorry to frighten you. I am unfortunately always on alert,” she wrote.
An Oshkosh West staff member wanted to make sure the judge know how “deeply rooted” the event has become for them.
“Grant Fuhrman robbed all of us of any sense of security we had in this building. He made students and parents’ worst nightmares come true. He has scarred this building and all of the people who were in it or had loved ones in it that day. While I am so thankful that no one else was physically hurt, I want you to keep in mind how many people were emotionally tom apart and will be feeling the effects of this forever. Grant ruined so many lives that day and I do not think that average person can see how far reaching that was. We lived it,” she said.
Meanwhile, there is a hearing Monday to determine if Fuhrman’s mother will be allowed to attend the sentencing. After the verdict was read, she had an outburst in court and made threatening actions toward prosecutors, so the state has asked she be barred from attending.
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