Impending divorce triggered slayings

OSHKOSH (AP) — A woman, who went into hiding because she feared what her police recruit husband might do, was shot to death Friday by her estranged husband after he put his service revolver to the heads of his son and daughter and killed them.

Warrick Schroeder, 34, a former captain in the Wisconsin National Guard, shot his son, Brett, 10, and daughter, Shannon, 5, in the basement of his sister's home during a visitation period arranged in court earlier in the day, authorities said. He then chased his wife, Susan, 33, into a neighbor's home, shot her and killed himself in driveway, all within five minutes, authorities said.

Mrs. Schroeder had begun divorce proceedings earlier, and a hearing related to the divorce had been held Friday morning, said police officer Daniel Neumann. Mrs. Schroeder's attorney, Dennis Herrling, said the couple had appeared before Winnebago County Court Commissioner Bruce Schmidt and they had agreed Schroeder would be allowed to visit his children at the home of his sister, Diane Ketner, at 3 pm. Friday.

The shootings were reported to police at 3:25 pm.

"Sue had a genuine fear for her children and her own life because of the divorce proceedings” Herrling said.

He said it was apparent Schroeder was concerned with visitation. Herrling said he believed the question of visitation had been resolved at the hearing. Mrs Schroeder had told him she felt the Ketner home was a safe place for visitation, Herrling said.

‘The children were shot to death in front of Mrs. Ketner's son, Chad, 10, and one of Chad's playmates. Chad and the friend ran from the basement after the shootings and Chad went to a glass supply store down the street from which police were called.

Police Chief Don Utecht, Police Sgt. Roger Dolan and Winnebago County Coroner Michael Stelter said all four people were shot in the head with .357 magnum handgun, and all died instantly.

Neumann said Schroeder had been scheduled to graduate from recruit training May 15. He was hired by the Police Department March 14 and began training the next day.

The son was shot twice with his father's service revolver, first in the hand in an apparent attempt to ward off the attack and then in the head.

“The wound to the hand looks like he (the boy) tried grab the gun barrel” Steer said. The gun barrel was in contact with the boy's left temple for the second shot, and the daughter also was killed when the gun was against her head, Stelter said.

Utecht said there was no indication Schroeder was dangerous to his family.

“We were made aware of his marital problems April 7", the chief said. “He was apparently taking it pretty hard.”

Utecht said Schroeder had talked freely with fellow officers about his family situation, but didn't seem seriously affected by the development.

He said Schroeder received a high recommendation from his commanding officer in the National Guard.

“He rated fairly high in all written and oral exams,” the chief said

Schroeder arrived at the home in the Westhaven subdivision west of U.S. Highway 41 and went to the basement where the children were playing.

Perry Graves, 32, who lives next door to the Ketner family, said Schroeder shouted upstairs for his wife to come into the basement "or he would blow the kids away.”

Graves said Schroeder shot the two children when Mrs. Schroeder refused to go into the basement.

A neighbor woman, who asked not to be identified, said she saw Mrs. Schroeder run from the Ketner home. She said the woman ran up to Walter Johnson, who lives next door to the Ketner home, asked for help and ran into Johnson's home. Johnson also went inside.

The neighbor said Schroeder ran to the house with a gun in his hand, fired a shot into the front door and forced his way inside.

The woman said Mrs. Schroeder ran into a bedroom and closed the door, but Schroeder “butted the door in.”

“I heard one shot,” the woman said.

Schroeder then went outside and shot himself on the driveway, authorities said.