An initial court appearance for Johnson has not been scheduled.
NIAGARA, WI -- CONTINUE TO CHECK BACK TO THIS PAGE FOR THE VERY LATEST AS DETAILS ARE RELEASED ON THIS DEVELOPING STORY. STORIES WILL BE ARCHIVED WITH THE VERY LATEST APPEARING FIRST ON THIS PAGE.
Saturday, August 02, 2008 at 11:37 a.m.
A pair of shorts, a tank top, an unopened bag of chips...and also red roses. They all litter the just reopened East Kingsford Train Bridge area, a popular swimming hole that's now a crime scene. Police say that's where a gunman opened fire at nine teenagers, killing three Dickinson County teens and injuring one other on July 31.
First responder Jeff Hunter, a volunteer who lives half a mile from the bridge, was on the scene, lending his time and ATV to police.
"There were officers standing on the trussles, armed with their assault rifles," Hunter described. "And there were also officers assisting the victims."
Police still aren't saying how many shots were fired, but a witness told TV6 he heard several. On the Michigan side of the river where one teen was shot and killed, we counted nine bullet holes.
Police say their biggest obstacle during their 15-hour manhunt was the steep, rocky terrain. A childhood friend of Scott Johnson, the accused gunman, tells TV6 that the East Kingsford Train Bridge was Johnson's favorite hang-out, and that he knew the area extremely well. Neighbors say Johnson runs and bikes several times a day. Don Koller, who lives next door to Johnson, says he's not surpised Johnson has been charged with the shootings.
"There was something wrong with him," Koller said. "The Army or someplace, something happened to him. He just snapped, I guess."
Koller says Johnson, who is divorced with children and lives with his mother, served in the military for several years.
Koller says Johnson also worked as a prison guard somewhere down South for a short time.
Saturday, August 02, 2008 at 11:25 p.m.
"I seen my friend shot and killed right in front of me."
That's what a witness of the murder told TV6's Pooja Lodhia today.
Saturday, August 02, 2008 at 11:07 p.m.
New Video Clips Added
Saturday, August 02, 2008 at 9:09 p.m.
Funeral services for the three victims will be held throughout the week.
Visitation for Anthony Spigarelli will be from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. (CST) at Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron Mountain on Tuesday. The funeral service will follow the visitation. |
Pohlson's services are scheduled for 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CST) Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Norway. |
Mort's visitation is set for 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Methodist Church in Iron Mountain (CST) on Thursday. The funeral is scheduled at 1 p.m. |
Donations for Bryan Mort's funeral expenses are being accepted.
If you'd like to make a donation, send or drop it off at the First United Methodist Church in Iron Mountain or the Iron Mountain Salvation Army.
First United Methodist Church, 108 4th St., Iron Mountain, MI 49801 (906) 774-3586
Salvation Army, 112 W. Brown St., Iron Mountain, MI 49801 (906) 774-3290
Saturday, August 02, 2008 at 7:08 p.m.
A probable cause statement was filed this afternoon alleging that Scott J. Johnson of Kingsford, the man accused of a triple murder in Niagara, Wisconsin on July 31, committed First Degree Intentional Homicide.
Although Johnson was arrested on August 1, Marinette County District Attorney Brent DeBord filed the statement today in order to continue to legally hold Johnson in the Marinette County Jail.
DeBord says he is currently preparing a criminal complaint, but an initial court appearance has not been scheduled.
DeBord has been working in conjunction with Dickinson County Prosecutor Chris Ninomiya.
Police say the incident occurred on a bridge connecting Kingsford, Michigan and Niagara, Wisconsin.
Two victims were shot in Wisconsin and one in Michigan. Authorities believe the shots were fired in Wisconsin.
Saturday, August 02, 2008 at 5:40 p.m.TV6's Pooja Lodhia asked Johnson's next door neighbor, Don Koller, if he was surprised Johnson is the suspected gunman.
Koller said, "No, not really. There was something wrong with him. The Army or someplace, something happened to him. He just snapped, I guess."
Saturday, August 02, 2008 at 4:45 p.m.Wisconsin authorities say the man accused of gunning down three teens and injuring a fourth person is expected in court Monday or Tuesday. Marinette County Chief deputy Jerry Sauve says it's unclear whether charges will be filed against 38-year-old Scott J. Johnson before his first court appearance.
TV6's Pooja Lodhia spoke with one of the first responders on the scene. He said that he used a 4-wheeler to transport police and medical equipment to the victims. He also assisted in bringing the four victims-- three dead, one injured-- to Kingsford, away from the crime scene.
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 4:50 p.m.
Mugshot released by Marinette Co Sheriffs Dept:
Friday, August 01, 2008 at 4:01 p.m.
TV6 has also learned that a woman today filed a Personal Protection Order against Johnson, asking for protection from him and alleging that he raped her on Wednesday after going on a bike ride with her in the same area where the shootings occurred on Thursday. She alleges in the PPO filed with Dickinson County Clerk that she was assaulted after they got off their bikes and took a walk into the woods.
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 3:54 p.m.
TV6's Pooja Lodhia has contacted the mother of Scott Johnson by phone. She has confirmed that she was contacted by officials letting her know that her son was the suspect in the incident.
It has also been confirmed by a neighbor of Johnson that the yearbook photo below is that of Scott.
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 11:22 a.m.
The name of the shooter has been released at a press conference around 1:00/12:00 central. Thirty-eight-year-old Scott Johnson of Iron Mountain is being held at the Marinette County Jail.
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 11:22 a.m.
The search for a camouflaged gunman, the suspect in Thursday night's deadly shooting near Niagara, Wisconsin is in custody this Friday afternoon.
Authorities with the Marinette County Sheriff's Department say shortly before 10:00 eastern, 9:00 Central, the man walked out of the woods approximately 100 yards East of the train bridge, which is located in Breitung Township.
The unidentified suspect walked out on the Wisconsin side of the Menominee River and was taken into custody without incident.
More than 100 law enforcement officers from at least 10 local and state agencies had searched the area over night and Friday morning for the gunman.
Witnesses say a male in camouflage clothing jumped out of the woods near the East Kingsford Train Bridge Thursday night, opening fire at nine young adults who were there to swim.
Those killed were 17-year-old Tiffany Pohlson, 18-year-old Anthony Spigarelli, and 19-year-old Bryan Mort.
Twenty-year-old Daniel Louis Gordon suffered minor injuries.
Authorities say that, from talking with witnesses, it appears to be random.
More details will be posted as soon as they are made available. Click the "Watch Video Here" link above to see the press conferences and earlier coverage of the situation.
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 11:22 a.m.
Marinette County Press Release #4
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 10:34 a.m.
Officials have captured the person they think is responsible for the deaths of three teens. The Marinette County Sheriff's Department has stated that the man walked out of the woods east of the train bridge. It is confirmed that he came out armed with the rifle.
Check back often as more of the details are released, and be sure to watch your TV6 News for more.
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.
An armed suspect has been caught. The gunman is in custody and being held at the Marinette County, WI Sheriff's Department.
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 10:12 a.m.Police are searching for a white male suspect, possibly with gray or blond hair, between 30 and 50 years of age.
The person is 5'10", or shorter, wearing camouflage clothing and carrying an assault rifle.
If anyone has information on this suspect or these shootings, they're asked to dial 911.
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 9:58 a.m.
Because of the search, roadblocks have been put in place at US-141 and County Highway N in the city of Niagara, west into the town of Aurora in Florence County.
County Highway O, from the Country Bar North to County Highway N has been closed.
Also, portions of Timothy and Carpenter Roads in the Township of Niagara have been blocked off.
Authorities say to avoid travel in this area, and it's extremely dangerous.
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 7:38 a.m.
Marinette County Press Release #3
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 7:35 a.m.
We are continuing to cover the breaking story in the Kingsford-Niagara area.
Authorities are searching for a gunman who has killed three people and injured at least one.
Police have just released the names of the victims.
They are 17-year-old Tiffany Pohlson, 18-year-old Anthony Spigarelli, and 19-year-old Bryan Mort.
Twenty-year-old Daniel Louis Gordon suffered minor injuries.
All four are from Michigan.
As for the reports saying there is a second shooter, they are only rumors at this time and cannot be confirmed. TV6's Pooja Lodhia was present at a press conference around 2 a.m. and officials say that can't be confirmed at this time.
Officials say they hope to release more information at noon Friday. TV6 will be keeping you updated as we obtain more information on this developing story.
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 6:16 a.m.
Marinette County Press Release #2
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Friday, August 01, 2008 at 3:05 a.m.
As of 1:45 AM CST, police are still searching for a gunman who has killed three people and injured at least one more, according to Jim Kanikula, the Marinette County Sheriff.
The gunman is described as a white man, with blond or grey hair, between 30 and 50 years of age, approximately 5'10" or shorter, in camouflage clothing and carrying an assault rifle.
Three people, one female and two males, are confirmed dead after witnesses say a male in camouflage clothing jumped out of the woods near the East Kingsford Train Bridge at approximately 5:30 PM CST July 31st.
The three victims, all from Michigan and aged between 17 and 19 and, were at the bridge with the intention to swim, according to Kanikula.
The injured person is also from Michigan.
Currently, Kanikula says, there are approximately 100 law enforcement personnel on site. Law enforcement intend to secure the area for the evening and discontinue the search until morning, when operations will continue at a heightened level.
Approximately 30 people have been evacuated from their homes and 8 miles of highway, including parts of County Road O and County Road N, have been blocked off.
When asked if he had ever experienced anything like this, Kanikula said, "No, not of this magnitude."
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Thursday, August 1, 2008 at 1:38 a.m.
Marinette County Press Release #1
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Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 11:56 p.m.
Police are still searching for a gunman on the loose in the Iron Mountain area along the Michigan/Wisconsin border.
Police are releasing very few details, but according to a source at Dickinson Memorial Hospital, three people are dead and two others have been wounded.
Marinette County Chief Deputy Jerry Sauve says police are now searching for a heavily armed man wearing full camoflauge clothing.
The shootings, which Sauve says he believes occurred in Niagara, Wisconsin, began at approximately 5:30 PM (CST) on July 31st.
Police are not sure if the gunman is currently in Wisconsin or Michigan.
TV6's Iron Mountain Kingsford Bureau Reporter Pooja Lodhia was on the scene at about 6:20 (CST), when police confirmed the gunman was, at one time, on the East Kingsford Train Bridge connecting Kingsford and Aurora, Wisconsin.
The surrounding area was evacuated at about 7:30 (CST).
