MILWAUKEE — Thomas Zollicoffer pleaded not guilty Monday to all charges in a preliminary hearing connected to the killings of three people in two separate shootings earlier this month.
Prosecutors allege Zollicoffer shot and killed his ex-girlfriend Vanessa DeHerrera and Scott Bucholz at 21st and Pierce on Aug. 8, then drove to 39th and Townsend and killed Shamarla Hare, who he had not known before then.
Tarshia Hare, Shamarla's mother, described her daughter as someone who touched everyone around her.
Hear more from a victim's family in the video player below
"She was a beautiful person, gave from the heart, she loved family, loved her siblings, she loved everybody, she'd help anyone," Tarshia Hare said.
The family also shared with TMJ4 that Hare was a proud Navy Veteran who served between 2005 and 2008.
During the hearing, a Milwaukee detective walked through the investigation as family members became emotional. The detective laid out what prosecutors say was Zollicoffer's confession.
"And stated that he was the individual responsible for shooting Ms. DeHerrera and Mr. Bucholz, and then is also responsible for the individual for shooting Ms. Hare," Milwaukee Police Department Detective Brian Maciejewski said.
Zollicoffer was apprehended three days after the shootings following a standoff with police.
As Zollicoffer was escorted out of the courtroom, he and the victims' family members exchanged heated words. Zollicoffer also blew kisses to family members while leaving.
His bail hearing is Friday, with a trial scheduled to begin in the coming months.
Shamarla's son, Levi Edwards, said he hopes no other family has to experience what his has gone through.
"I hope that nothing like this happens to another person like that, that no other family has to go through this cause it really really hurts," Edwards said.
Tarshia Hare said no verdict will undo the loss her family has suffered, but she wants Zollicoffer to remain behind bars.
"Of course it'll never bring my baby back but he should never ever get out ever," Tarshia Hare said.
The family says the unexpected death has made burying Shamarla difficult. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been started to help cover costs. That link is here.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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