La Crosse man faces several counts in connection with gunshot altercation

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — A 34-year-old La Crosse man faces several counts, including possession of a firearm by a felon and shooting it, in connection with a fracas involving an allegedly stolen bicycle, shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of Market Street.

Meier

Andrew L Meier also is accused of carrying a concealed weapon, pointing a firearm at someone, disorderly conduct and using a dangerous weapon in connection with the incident, according to the criminal complaint filed Monday in La Crosse County Circuit Court.
The kerfuffle began around the shipping and receiving area of the City Brewery at 200 Market, according to the complaint. A white man with a knife was chasing a black man who was riding a bicycle, alleging that he had stolen another bike the day before, the complaint said.
The man with the knife, identified later as Justin Neumann, did not stab the man, and they appeared to have resolved their issue, according to the complaint.
Meier, whose address was listed as a motel in the 5200 block of Mormon Coulee Road, allegedly interjected himself into the argument and fired a shot in the direction of another individual. The shot did not hit anyone.
Meier told police he did not intend to shoot anyone, but rather shot a warning as a “get away from me type of thing” because he was afraid of being attacked, the complaint said.
Neumann and Meier sparred verbally, and an officer arrested Neumann for disorderly conduct while armed with the knife. When the officer notified dispatch about Neumann’s arrest, a dispatcher told the officer he was wanted on eight misdemeanor bonds, so he was taken to the county jail, the complaint states.

La Crosse police officers interviewed several witnesses, including at least one who is living in a tent in Houska Park, across the foot bridge from the area of the altercation.
If Meier is convicted, he faces:

• On felon possessing a firearm, a fine of not more than $25,000 or a prison sentence of not more than 10 years, or both.
• For carrying a concealed weapon, fine of not more than $10,000 or prison for not more than nine months or both.
• For pointing a firearm at another, a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than nine months or both.
• Disorderly conduct and use of a dangerous weapon, fine of not more than $1,000 or prison for not more than 90 days or both.