Trestle Trail shooting victims identified
NEENAH – Menasha police say a man and his 11-year-old daughter, along with another man walking in the area, were killed Sunday evening by a gunman who was distraught about a romantic relationship.
Police say the suspected shooter turned the gun on himself and later died, and another woman – the wife and mother of two of the victims – remains in critical condition at Theda Clark Medical Center in Neenah.
The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. Sunday on the Trestle Trail Bridge in Menasha. City of Menasha police released the new details at a press conference Monday morning.
Menasha Police Chief Tim Styka said the victims are 33-year-old Johnathon Stoffel of Neenah, his 11-year-old daughter Olivia and an unrelated Appleton man, 31-year-old Adam Bentdahl.
The shooter has been identified as 27-year-old Sergio Daniel Valencia Del Toro.
Dr. Ray Georgen, the Medical Director of Trauma at Theda Clark Medical Center, says 32-year-old Erin Stoffel underwent emergency surgery at the hospital after the shooting. Doctors are very hopeful for recovery and say she has done well so far. She is the wife of Johnathon Stoffel and the mother of Olivia Stoffel.
Menasha police commended Erin Stoffel for her “amazing” efforts following the shooting.
“Despite being shot multiple times, Ms. Stoffel was able to get herself and two additional children off of the bridge, instructing her young son to go run for assistance,” said Styka. “Absolutely amazing.”
Bentdahl’s parents told FOX 11 over the phone that they are devastated.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and the senseless death of our son. We still need to keep loving people and living our lives. Adam had a bright personality and was a kind and gentle person. Our prayers go out to the other family who lost their father and daughter, and mother who is struggling for life, along with the man who took his own life,” the family said in a statement.
Bentdahl’s family says they are planning funeral arrangements.
Investigators say the shooter was upset about a relationship.
“While the investigation is still ongoing, our belief is the following had taken place,” said Styka. “The shooter was upset about recent relationship issues with his girlfriend. Earlier in the evening, they had gotten into an argument at a residence in Menasha. After that argument, the girlfriend had left. During the time that she was gone from a residence, the shooter then left the residence on a bicycle and headed toward the Trestle Trail. The shooter armed himself with at least two handguns.”
Police say he and his fiancee ended their engagement a week ago. They say the fiancee is cooperating in the investigation.
“The shooter shot all four of the victims unprovoked and at close range,” said Styka. “After shooting the four victims, the gunman then turned the weapons on himself.”
The shooter had recently enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard and was scheduled to begin basic training next month. He was an Air Force veteran and a student at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Winnebago County Coroner Barry Busby lauded the heroism of the multiple law enforcement agencies that responded to the scene.
Busby also commended seven-year-old Ezra Stoffel and his five-year-old sister Selah Stoffel for running off the bridge and away from shooting scene to get help.
Police say the shooting happened about two-thirds across the bridge from Menasha near a pavilion. Police say there were at least 75 to 100 people in the general area of the park at the time of the shooting.
Police say Olivia Stoffel was a student at Fox Valley Christian Academy in Neenah. That school was closed Monday.
Police believe there was no discussion between the shooter and the victims before the shooting began.
Officials removed police tape from the bridge and park Monday evening and began barricading the bridge. The park is now open to the public. The bridge will be inspected Tuesday morning.