River Shooting Victims}’s portrait

River Shooting Victims

  • Died Jul 31, 2008
  • Niagra & Kingsford, Wisconsin, United States
An armed man allegedly jumped from bushes and opened fire on a group of at least five young swimmers who were relaxing by a popular bridge over the Menominee River. Three teens were killed, and a 20-year-old was injured. May we pay our respects.
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3 teens killed

Two towns united in sorrow after a massacre that took place at the body of water that has always divided them.

Mourners in Niagara, Wis., and Kingsford scrawled "rest in peace" in crayon on signs in car windows and hung posters in store windows urging residents to "pray for the families."

Two days earlier, an armed Scott J. Johnson allegedly jumped from bushes and opened fire on a group of at least five young swimmers who were relaxing by a popular bridge over the Menominee River. Three teens were killed, and a 20-year-old was injured.

Johnson disappeared for nearly 16 hours after the shooting before emerging from a wooded area, throwing down his rifle and surrendering to police.

The 38-year-old was expected to appear in court Monday or Tuesday, said Jerry Sauve, Marinette County chief sheriff's deputy. He said it wasn't yet clear whether charges would be filed before that court appearance.

Investigators have not determined a motive. Authorities say there was no communication between the gunman and his victims.

Johnson is also accused of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old woman at the same site a day before the shooting. Authorities said it wasn't clear whether the assault on Wednesday was related to the shooting, and Johnson has not been charged with sexual assault.

Sauve didn't know whether Johnson had a lawyer, and a phone message left with the district attorney was not returned Saturday.

Hundreds gathered in a church Friday to seek solace and remember the victims: Tiffany Pohlson, 17; Anthony Spigarelli, 18; and Bryan Mort, 19. A fourth victim, 20-year-old Daniel Louis Gordon, was wounded. All were from Michigan.

After the church service, dozens of teens stood in the parking lot in embraces, their silence punctuated by occasional sobs. Half an hour later, some began to smile and laugh as they exchanged memories of the victims.

Most were best acquainted with Spigarelli, who had just graduated from Kingsford High School and had talked about becoming an engineer.

"Even my mom is in love with him," said Beth Murray, 15, drawing smiles from about 10 other girls who nodded and dabbed their eyes. "There's not another person in town like him."

The three teens who were killed had been spending time at the "river bridge," a remote hangout well-known to generations of locals. A railroad bridge passes over the river between the two states, and kids would often gather in the summer to swim.

"I used to go up there 30 years ago, and then my boys went up there when they were teens," recalled Judy Schultz, 45, a supervisor at a Kingsford motel. "Now you wonder if the memories are so bad that anyone will go out there anymore."

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Memories

tiffany pohlson

Nicole Lamb Oct 14, 2009

remember when we went camping for four days with jess? ;;how we had to "sneak" past those logs to get out of the campground late at night in shanes big blue truck? we almost got caught so many times, I miss you so much tiffany. when I came to iron mountain, you were my first friend. you changed how I though about iron mountain. we had random trips to wal-mart, and magic cart rides. haha. I sure wish you were here to get more smiley stickers from the door lady. we got two instead of one, because were gangster. always remember that I love you and miss you very much.

anthony spigarelli

tabatha Sep 08, 2009

i remember when you me and kacie where at her house and you called me crazy because i was calling some guy and you went into detail bout how you think i am gonna be one of those chicks who waits with a knife outside someones door that hurt me or denies me...lol
then i remember when you shared with me the story of how you wax your armpits so gurls dont have to have hair in there face when they go to look at you <3 rest in peace tony i miss you and i love you
i know you and kac. would have been awesome together!

My Condolances

Leila Canavera Aug 17, 2008

The East Kingsford Train Bridge was always a great hangout. I hung out there for many years. That was the ti me that you would see a stanger and invite them to join you in the fun. There was never harm done to anyone. It's awful that something like this had to happen to 3 young wonderful, beautiful people from our town. May their families find peace and remember the good times. To those of you there who witnessed it all, hopefully you can carry on and remember the good. Bud Gordon should have been a natural there. His father was a great guy and I watched him many times jump from the top of the bride. I believe his dad was there a protected him from that sloth.

A tragedy to befall our cities

Rennie Aug 05, 2008

Rest in peace young ones. You were tragically robbed of your life and your deaths have left sorrow in many hearts. Condolences to the family and friends of these victims and may the two survivors of this tragedy be able to find peace.

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