Bail set at 250K for teen accused in Beaver Dam shooting
JUNEAU (WKOW) -- A Fitchburg teenager faces an attempted first degree intentional homicide charge, and other felony charges, after authorities say he shot and wounded a retail store employee as the worked tried to stop the teen's shoplifting.
A Dodge County court commissioner Friday set bail for 17-year old Jared Spencer at $250,000.
Authorities say Spencer stole ammunition from the Fleet Farm store in Beaver Dam July 15, and was followed out of the store by assistant manager Andrew Kruse, a loss prevention specialist and an off duty police officer who had been shopping in the store.
Court documents state Spencer refused to cooperate with them, made a threat against Kruse, and when Spencer reached his sedan, pulled out a 38 caliber handgun. District Attorney Kurt Klomberg says Spencer's pursuers backed off at the sight of the gun, and Spencer had opportunity to drive off with the stolen merchandise.
"He decided to shoot the manager in retaliation, the manager he told he was going to do harm to for calling the police on him," Klomberg says.
Spencer's attorney, assistant state public defender Jessica Moeller argues the criminal complaint against Spencer lacks support for an attempted murder charge. She also says bail was set too high for a teenager still attending high school, and with no criminal record.
"If he's willing to shoot a stranger in response to being caught in a less than $40 retail theft, there's no reason to think he's going to return to court," Klomberg says. Spencer remains jailed.
According to the criminal complaint, Kruse did not initially know he had been hit by a bullet, but realized it when he saw blood.
"He saw the blood pouring out of his wrist and felt the pain in his shoulder," the complaint states. Kruse told investigators "...due to the location where he had been struck by the bullet...he advised that he was scared he was going to die."
A Farm Fleet employee tells 27 News Kruse has been released from UW Hospital. "The victim is recovering from his wounds," Klomberg says.
Authorities say a Verona teenager was arrested at the store as a suspected accomplice to Spencer, but Klomberg says the teen has been released, and his case remains under review. The complaint states Spencer was alone when he drove off from the store parking lot. Authorities say Spencer was arrested during a traffic stop.
Spencer's parents attended Friday's court hearing, but declined comment to 27 News after the proceeding. Spencer returns to court July 23.
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JUNEAU (WKOW) -- A Fitchburg teen was charged with multiple crimes today related to a Wednesday shooting in Beaver Dam that left one man injured.
Cash bail for Jared Spencer, 17, was set at $250,000.
Spencer is accused of shooting an assistant manager of the Fleet Farm store in Beaver Dam, after that manager followed Spencer into the store's parking lot to stop what he thought to be a case of shoplifting ammunition.
The Dodge County District Attorney says a Verona teen, previously suspected of being an accomplice, was not charged today and his case is under review.
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JUNEAU (WKOW) -- Representatives of the Dodge County District Attorney's office say two Dane County teenagers will face criminal charges Friday in connection with the shooting of a Fleet Farm employee in Beaver Dam.
Authorities say 17-year old Jared Spencer of Fitchburg and 18-year old Daniel J. Jones of Verona will make a court appearance via video from the Dodge County jail at 12:45 p.m.
Officials say a store assistant manager followed Spencer into the store parking lot after attempting to stop Spencer in connection with the shoplifting of ammunition. Officials say Spencer got into a car and shot the employee once, wounding the worker's wrist and shoulder.
Authorities say Jones is suspected of being an accomplice.
For more on this developing story, visit wkow.com and watch 27 News.