Nengmy Vang and the 2017 Marathon County Shootings
Overview
Nengmy Vang was responsible for a deadly shooting spree that unfolded across three communities in Marathon County, Wisconsin, on March 22, 2017. During a series of attacks connected to a bitter divorce dispute, Vang killed four people at a bank, a law office and an apartment complex. The victims included two bank employees, his estranged wife's divorce attorney and a veteran police detective.
The violence began after Vang confronted his estranged wife, Naly Vang, at the Marathon Savings Bank branch where she worked. After she escaped and contacted authorities, Vang opened fire inside the bank. He then traveled to the office of the attorney representing his wife in their divorce and committed another murder. The final stage of the rampage occurred at Vang's apartment in Weston, where he fatally shot a responding police officer and engaged law enforcement in an extended armed standoff.
Background and Divorce Dispute
Nengmy and Naly Vang had been married for approximately 25 years and had seven children. Their relationship had deteriorated over time, and Nengmy moved out of the family home in 2015. Divorce proceedings followed, but the couple disagreed about how the separation should be resolved. Nengmy reportedly wanted the matter handled through the traditional Hmong clan system, while Naly chose to proceed through the Wisconsin court system so that issues such as child custody, property division and financial support would be legally enforceable.
The divorce became increasingly contentious. Nengmy was reportedly angry about the possibility of paying maintenance or other financial support. Naly later said he had warned that something bad could happen if she continued seeking money through the divorce proceedings. Police had previously been called several times while Nengmy attempted to retrieve possessions from the family residence, although those encounters did not lead to arrests.
On March 22, 2017, the conflict escalated dramatically. Vang telephoned Naly and demanded that she sign divorce documents within 24 hours. He then appeared at her workplace, Marathon Savings Bank in Rothschild, carrying papers he wanted her to sign. During the confrontation, he threatened her life and left the building. Naly believed he was going to retrieve a firearm from his vehicle, so she escaped from the bank and sought safety at a nearby Subway restaurant. From there, she contacted police and reported the threat.
Murders at Marathon Savings Bank
After Naly escaped, Vang returned to Marathon Savings Bank carrying a black bag. He armed himself and opened fire on employees inside the building. Branch manager Dianne Look and bank teller Karen Barclay were struck by gunfire. Both women suffered fatal injuries.
The two bank employees were not known to have been personally involved in the Vangs' divorce. They appear to have been attacked because they were present at the workplace Vang associated with his estranged wife. Naly avoided being shot only because she recognized the danger and left before Vang returned with his weapon.
The shooting generated a major emergency response across the Rothschild, Schofield and Weston area. Officers began searching for Vang while medical personnel responded to the bank. Vang, however, had already left and was traveling toward a second location connected to the divorce proceedings.
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