Two men allegedly involved in an exchange of gunfire in Shawano on Monday night have been charged with felony counts of reckless endangerment.
Tony J. Brunker, 23, and Andrew E. Thomas, 28, both of Shawano, are accused of firing weapons at one another after an altercation at a local bar continued into the 600 block of East Richmond Street.
Thomas faces an additional count of reckless endangerment for allegedly pointing a handgun at a bartender who was trying to break up the initial disturbance, according to the criminal complaint.
The complaint states the incident began at Hensel’s Bar, 134 S. Washington St., shortly before 10 p.m. with a confrontation between Brunker and a friend of Thomas’.
The friend had called Brunker out of the bar to fight, according to the complaint, and a bartender stood in the doorway to keep Brunker from leaving or the friend from entering the bar.
At that point, the complaint alleges, Thomas pointed a handgun at the bartender.
After that confrontation, the friend broke out the back window of Brunker’s pickup truck, according to a statement Thomas made to police.
Brunker later drove to Thomas’ residence in the 600 block of East Richmond Street with a Highpoint 9mm rifle, according to the complaint.
Thomas told police he saw the barrel of the gun pointed at him and shot off five rounds at Brunker with a .44-caliber pistol.
Brunker then returned fire, according to the complaint.
Thomas, who has a concealed carry permit for the handgun, according to authorities, told police he continued firing at Brunker as Brunker drove away.
According to police, two rounds from the handgun hit the driver’s head rest and continued through the windshield. A bullet shot from Brunker’s rifle struck the residence, police said.
Brunker abandoned the pickup truck and was spotted walking home by Shawano County sheriff’s deputies, still carrying the rifle. He was immediately taken into custody.
Thomas was arrested Thursday after further investigation into the incident.
Brunker is charged with one felony count of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, which carries a maximum possible penalty of 12½ years in prison and a $25,000 fine. He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.
Thomas faces two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety; one for the alleged shooting incident on Richmond Street, and one for allegedly pointing a loaded firearm at the bartender’s head at Hensel’s.
Brunker was ordered held on a $10,000 cash bond after a court appearance Friday. He is scheduled for an adjourned initial court appearance on Monday.
Thomas posted a $10,000 cash bond and is also due back in court Monday for an adjourned initial appearance.
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