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Complaint: Love triangle led Racine County man to kill coworker

Posted at 1:55 PM, Dec 30, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-30 18:43:40-05

WIND LAKE — The man at the center of a manhunt was accused of killing his coworker after finding out the victim was his girlfriend's new love interest, according to a criminal complaint.

A criminal complaint filed in Racine County said that Troy Hoffmann, 40, had gotten into an argument with his girlfriend on Thursday, prior to driving to victim Chad Bickler's home and shooting him.

Bickler and Hoffmann worked together at Engineered Security Solutions, Inc.

Chad Bickler.jpeg

According to the complaint, a woman spoke with a Racine County sheriff's deputy and said that the victim was her love interest. The woman was on her way to Bickler's house when she said Hoffmann was texting her, threatening to kill Bickler. When the woman arrived at Bickler's home, she saw headlights in her rearview mirror, before being struck by a vehicle.

The woman told the deputy that she got out of her vehicle and began arguing with Hoffmann, observing that he had a gun. She then ran toward W. Loomis Road and called police.

The complaint said that while the woman was on the phone with police, she saw Hoffmann walk toward Bickler's home and heard several gunshots.

Officials said that Hoffmann shot at Bickler's home several times, before entering the home and shooting at Bickler.

Bickler was found in the kitchen of his home, with several gunshot wounds to the abdomen and legs. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. His dog, Tucker, was also shot and killed.

Hoffmann fled the scene before deputies arrived. He turned himself into the Village of Hustisford Police Department on Friday. He was transported to Dodge County Jail.

A GoFundMe has been setup for Bickler's funeral and related expenses. Click here if you'd like to donate.

Hoffmann is being held on on a $750,000 bond.