Suspect fired gun to scare man, complaint states
'Person of interest' located, not injured
LA CROSSE, Wis. — A man accused of shooting a handgun at a La Crosse apartment Wednesday afternoon told police he shot the gun to scare a man.
Brian C. Carr, 29, has been charged with second degree recklessly endangering safety, possession of tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) and disorderly conduct. A La Crosse County judge set a $5,000 cash bond for Carr.
The criminal complaint states Carr got into an argument with Redondo M. Shelley on the second-floor walkway right outside Carr’s apartment, 1315 S. Fourth St. around 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Carr told police Shelley had come to his apartment and at one point threatened to slap him. Carr said he got upset and picked up a 9 millimeter pistol that he owns, which he fired to scare Shelley, the criminal complaint states.
Carr told police he aimed the gun in a direction where he did not believe anyone would be standing. The complaint states Carr said was not trying to kill Shelley, but show Shelley not to mess with him.
Shelley is then believed to have run down the stairs, then headed southeast through the apartment’s parking lot and down the alley.
Police announced on Thursday afternoon that they found Shelley, who was considered a “person of interest” in the case. He was not injured in the incident.
19980494In the meantime, Carr allegedly took off in his 1996 Cadillac.
Police were able to locate that vehicle and followed it up Grandad Bluff before intercepting Carr at the entrance to Bluffview Commons Trailer Park at W5445 County Highway F.
Police and La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department officers drew their guns and arrested Carr. In the car, they found the 9 mm handgun they suspect Carr used.
After executing a search warrant, police found two pistols, marijuana, scales, boxes or plastic baggies and ammunition. Police say the marijuana tested positive for the presence of tetrahydrocannabinols.
Neighbor Kayla Nelson said her husband and 2-year-old son were outside playing when she heard the gunshot. As soon as she realized her family was OK, she took out her cellphone and called the shooting in to police.
“When I heard the noise, obviously it was a lot louder than a firework, and I came running outside. And as I came running outside, two gentlemen across Fourth Street were yelling toward the apartment building, toward the gunfire. And then a gentleman came pulling out of the parking lot in a red Cadillacand took off up Fourth Street,” said Nelson.
Nelson said she has police on speed dial and has already called them three or four times this week to report suspicious activity.
She said police arrived Wednesday afternoon within minutes.
La Crosse police continue their investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident can contact the La Crosse Police Department at 608-785-5962. Callers can also remain anonymous by calling the La Crosse Area Crime Stoppers at 608-784-8477 or contacting them online at http://www.lacrossecrimestoppers.com.
