By Shereen Siewert
WISCONSIN RAPIDS — A 39-year-old Wisconsin Rapids father and business owner was shot in front of his two children, according to a criminal complaint filed this week in Wood County Circuit Court.
Gary Bohman, 59, of Marshfield is accused of fatally shooting Christopher Race on March 24. He faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, a crime that carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison if he is convicted.
Police say Bohman, who was once married to Race’s wife, walked into the Higher Grounds Bakery & Coffee Shop just after 1 p.m. on March 24, sat at a table, then got up and shot Race in the abdomen in front of Race’s two children, age 11 months and 7. Bohman allegedly then grabbed the younger child, walked in circles around the store, then went to a nearby Applebee’s to report that “someone had been hurt.”
Witnesses say Bohman, still clutching the child in his arms, then asked employees at Applebee’s to call 911.
In the meantime, court documents show Race’s 7-year-old son also called 911. Police say the boy was able to identify Bohman as the shooter when they arrived at the scene.
Court documents show Bohman filed for divorce in 2012 from Jacalyn Bohman, who married Race about two years later.
Race co-owned the coffee shop with his wife. In addition to his wife, Race leaves behind five children, according to his obituary.
Bohman is being held on a $1 million cash bond. A hearing is set for Monday.
