Local
UPDATE: Bond set for suspect in downtown La Crosse shooting
Prosecutors said a La Crosse man arrested on a charge of attempted 1st Degree Intentional Homicide was upset about being taunted at work.
In court on Friday, Assistant District Attorney Susan Donskey said that Justin Smith had someone drive him to his home where he got a shotgun.
He then returned to work and after confronting co-workers, fired at least one shot.
Donskey told the court the shot “thankfully did not hit anyone.”
Smith then got back into the car and left the scene.
He and the driver were arrested a short time later.
Smith wasn’t legally able to have the shotgun based on information that he had a previous felony conviction according to Donskey, which were confirmed in probable cause documents mentioned by the judge.
Citing a concern over public safety, Judge Mark Huesmann set a cash bond at $25,000.
Donskey told the court that the investigation is ongoing, so a criminal complaint against Smith won’t be ready until late next week.
Judge Huesmann set Smith’s next court appearance for June 6.
Unless he posts bond, Smith remains in the La Crosse County Jail.
The driver of the car, Kaylee Jo Berg, did not make an appearance in court on Friday. She remains held without bond in the La Crosse County Jail according to online records.
A shooting late Thursday night in downtown La Crosse leaves one person with injuries and two people arrested in the incident.
Police said that just before midnight, they got a shots fired call in the 300 block of 4th Street South.
In a statement from the department, they said a passenger got out of a vehicle that was stopped in the street, fired a gun at the victims, returned to the vehicle which then drove off. fled.
There was one person who had a non-life threatening injury according to police.
An earlier confrontation between the two people in the vehicle and the victims led to the shooting according to the investigation done by police.
A short time later, officers found the vehicle and arrested the two people inside.
Justin Damon-Ty Smith, 32, is held on charges including attempted 1st Degree Intentional Homicide and 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety.
The driver of the car, Kaylee Jo Berg, 33, of Holmen, was arrested for a parole violation.
Both are expected to appear in La Crosse County Circuit Court this afternoon.
WIZM News will update this developing story as new information becomes available.
walden
May 30, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Anyone counting how many La Crosse shootings so far this year?
Howard
May 30, 2025 at 2:47 pm
Why shouldn’t they do what they want. I think everyone who has been arrested recently for shooting someone in Lacrosse is out of jail and walking the streets. Heck there is even one who stabbed a guy to death five years ago who is out. The public doesn’t care and the judges don’t see that they are the weakest link in the public safety chain.
Earl P
May 30, 2025 at 11:04 pm
Another bond!!!!! This happened in any county orher than La Crosse they would be on no bond . Ridiculous.
Concerned Citizen
May 31, 2025 at 10:39 am
He should remain in jail.
Edward
June 1, 2025 at 10:11 pm
Bond??? Serious???? Almost murdering someone gets you a bond in Lacrosse. Thats nuts. Hey all come to lacrosse and commit crimes , you will only get a signature bond unless you sell drugs then you will look at time. Insane justice system they have here. Just as bad as having no police presence in this city. Whats the point of arresting someone if the judges let them all go.