Christopher J. Farmer, a 41-year-old White/Caucasian male, was a father of two and a U.S. Navy veteran working as a maintenance mechanic in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. His life was cut short in a violent encounter on May 14, 2010, at his residence in the town of LaFayette. The events that culminated in his death began to unfold with the return of William F. Vollbrecht to Chippewa Falls from North Dakota on May 12, 2010.
Vollbrecht was the ex-boyfriend of Farmer's fiancée, Tammy Clark, and had sent her threatening messages after learning of her new relationship.
Tensions escalated when Vollbrecht encountered Farmer and Clark at a bar. Later that evening, after a day of heavy drinking, Vollbrecht went to his parents' house and retrieved a rifle. He then proceeded to Farmer's home, where he found Farmer and Clark asleep in bed. Vollbrecht entered the bedroom and fired a single shot, killing Farmer.
After the shooting, Clark awoke to the sound of the gunshot and saw Vollbrecht with the rifle. Vollbrecht was subsequently arrested at the scene by Chippewa County Sheriff's deputies who responded to a 911 call. He was charged with first-degree intentional homicide and armed burglary.
During the trial, Vollbrecht's defense argued that he was too intoxicated to form the intent to kill and that he was suicidal. However, the prosecution presented evidence of his threatening text messages and his actions leading up to the shooting. The jury ultimately found William F. Vollbrecht guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and armed burglary. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
