CHIPPEWA FALLS (AP) — A Wisconsin sheriff says a man suspected in the weekend killings of four people exchanged texts with one of the victims — a woman who apparently didn't know him.
Chippewa County Sheriff James Kowalczyk said investigators believe 34-year-old Ritchie German Jr. carried out the Sunday attacks at two homes.
Kowalczyk told The Associated Press on Tuesday that investigators believe German fatally shot his mother, brother and brother's 8-year-old son at their home in Lafayette before going to a home in nearby Lake Hallie and killing a 24-year-old woman and wounding her parents. German was found dead there, but authorities haven't said whether he killed himself.
Kowalczyk said German had texted the 24-year-old woman inquiring about a personal relationship, but she texted back saying she didn't know him.
