Almond shooting suspect, victim ID’d
By Brandi Makuski
Portage Co. authorities have released the name of the lone suspect in a fatal Saturday night shooting that took place in Almond.
Steven Breneman, 31, of Almond, was arrested following an hour-long manhunt near Fourth Ave. and County J in the Town of Almond on May 5.
Deputies and EMS crews were called to investigate a “suspected gunshot wound” at about 6:20 p.m. When crews arrived, they found 45-year-old Donald Brewer, a resident of Almond, dead. Brewer was shot on his porch in front of his two sons, ages 12 and 14, Sheriff Mike Lukas said.
Lukas said the boys were able to identify Breneman as the shooter.
Breneman was Brewer’s neighbor, Lukas said, and the shooting allegedly took place after an argument involving allegations of marital infidelity. The investigation is still ongoing, he added.
During the search for Breneman, the nearby Almond High School prom was temporarily suspended. Once Breneman was in custody, the dance resumed with extra deputies on hand to “help alleviate any lingering fears” of students there, Lukas said.
An autopsy for Brewer is scheduled for May 7.
Breneman is being held at the Portage Co. Jail on first degree homicide charges. He is expected to make his initial appearance in Portage Co. Circuit Court today or tomorrow.