Wisconsin parishes, communities mourn slain hunters

Published: 2004-12-01

HAUGEN, Wis. (CNS) -- The deaths of six hunters and the injuries sustained by two others in a Nov. 21 shooting incident near Birchwood in Wisconsin's north woods has deeply saddened the small, close-knit communities in the surrounding area. The shootings occurred on the first day of the state's nine-day deer hunting season and apparently stemmed from a dispute over a trespasser entering private land. During a Nov. 23 prayer service for the victims and their families at Holy Trinity Church in Haugen, Deacon Harvey G. Drost said that, whatever the explanation for the shootings is, the bottom line is that the killings were the result of a tragic misunderstanding. The deacon, who led the service, said that as neighbors of all the victims "we won't forget them. We'll pray for them, we'll pray for ourselves and we will continue living." The six who died were Robert Crotteau, 42, and his son, Joey Crotteau, 20; Al Laski, 43; Mark Roidt, 28; Jessica Willers, 27; and Dennis Drew, 45. All of them were Catholic. Willers' father, Terry Willers, and Lauren Hesebeck were hospitalized for injuries they sustained in the shooting. Arrested in connection with the shootings was Chai Vang, 36, a Hmong immigrant who lives in St. Paul, Minn. Vang was being held in the Sawyer County Jail in lieu of $2.5 million bail.

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