Suspect In Targeted Killing Of Former Wisconsin Judge Was Previously Sentenced By Victim

A former Wisconsin judge was murdered last week in his own home in what authorities described as a “targeted attack.” The prime suspect had a personal history with the victim, who sentenced him to over six years in prison more than a decade ago.

On Tuesday, CNN reported that police in New Lisbon, Wisconsin suspect former Juneau County Circuit Court Judge John Roemer was murdered by Douglas K. Uhde. Roemer sentenced Uhde to six years in state prison on various firearms charges in 2005.

Last Friday, sheriff's deputies were called to Roemer's home at around 6:30 a.m. CST in response to reports of an armed individual in the home and after two shots had already been fired. The caller reportedly resided in the home but fled to a nearby residence to contact authorities.

After initial attempts by police to negotiate with Uhde from outside the home were unsuccessful, a SWAT team breached the home at about 10:15 a.m. CST and discovered Roemer’s body in the basement with a fatal gunshot wound. The former judge’s wrists were bound to a chair with zip ties and a firearm was recovered from the scene.

Although Uhde has not yet been charged in relation to Judge Roemer's murder, he was discovered inside the victim’s basement with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He is currently hospitalized in critical condition, according to CNN.

Beyond the personal connection between Uhde and Roemer, the suspect reportedly had other government officials in mind as potential targets. Unnamed law enforcement officials who spoke to NBC News said that the list included Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said that other members of the state judiciary were found on Uhde's list, but that the names were being withheld at this time. However, he added that there is no "active danger" to others with Uhde now in custody.

"So far the information that's been gathered indicates that it was a targeted act and the targeting was based on some sort of court case or court cases," said Kaul.