Shooting suspect held on $100K bond; charges include attempted homicide, battery
By Brandi Makuski
A Plover man suspected of shooting two males and stabbing a female family member is being held on $100,000 cash bond.
Alec Varney, 18, appeared from jail via video in Portage Co. Circuit Court before Judge Robert Shannon on April 27, after he fled the scene of the incident on the 3800 block of Bluebird Dr. in the Town of Plover and kicked off a nine-hour manhunt by local law enforcement.
Varney was later located near Plover-Whiting Elementary School due to multiple tips called in from citizens. Police conducted a high-risk traffic stop on Airline Rd. in Plover, and took Varney into custody without incident, Sheriff Mike Lukas said.
According to District Attorney Louis Molepske, a 911 caller reported shortly before 5 a.m. on April 26 that two males were shot on the 3800 block of Bluebird Dr., and a third party, a woman who lived in the home with Varney, had been stabbed in the hand and chest.
Police found one victim was found in the basement, suffering a gunshot wound to the abdomen. While police were searching the home, a 911 call from St. Michael’s Hospital reported the third victim, who had was being treated for a gunshot wound to the leg.
Molepske said the two gunshot victims told police they were drinking with Varney in the basement when an argument broke out. Varney reportedly retrieved the shotgun, shooting one man in the chest and the other man in the leg.
A female family member was sleeping upstairs when she heard the commotion, and ran to the basement to find out what was happening. Molepske said after being confronted by the woman, Varney stabbed her, then chased the woman into her bedroom, where she locked the door.
Numerous firearms, marijuana paraphernalia and blood evidence was found in the home’s basement, Molepske said. Varney reportedly admitted to the shootings and stabbing, he added.
One gunshot victim is still being treated in intensive care, Molepske said.
While Molepske read the facts of the case aloud, Varney at times appeared to be crying, banged his head on the table, and covered his head with his hands from the jail’s video appearance room.
Molepske said he plans to charge Varney with first-degree reckless injury, battery, possession of drug paraphernalia, attempted first degree intentional homicide.
Varney’s past includes no criminal charges, Molepske said, but juvenile charges of carrying a dangerous weapon at school, possession of THC and underage drinking.
He returns to court May 14 for an initial appearance.