Expand / Collapse search
☰

Healing in Menasha: Victims of Trestle Trail shooting to be remembered Thursday

Published  May 7, 2015 11:18am CDT
FOX 6 Now Milwaukee

MENASHA (WITI) -- The Town of Menasha Police Department has indicated there will be an event on Thursday, May 7th at Fritse Park to remember the victims from Sunday's shooting incident at the Trestle Trail Bridge. Four people, including a shooter, were killed. A fifth person was wounded by gunfire. Thursday's event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

National Day of Prayer Menasha



Police on Wednesday also revealed new information in conjunction with the Winnebago County Coroner's Office.

The victims in this shooting were previously identified by officials as:


    Jonathan Stoffel and Olivia Stoffel



    Police say autopsy results reveal Jonathan Stoffel was shot seven times. His wife, Erin Stoffel was shot three times. Their 11-year-old daughter Olivia Stoffel was shot three times -- and 31-year-old Adam Bentdahl was shot once.

    Erin Stoffel has been praised for heroism in the face of unthinkable horror and tragedy. She was able to get herself and her two other children off the bridge even after she was shot three times -- and she instructed her young son to get help.

    The shooter, 27-year-old Sergio Daniel Valencia del Toro died as a result of a single self-inflicted gunshot wound.

    Police say there have been conflicting stories regarding the events that took place between the shooter and his ex-fiancee prior to the incident.

    Jonathan Stoffel and Erin Stoffel



    The facts from an initial interview police had with Haylie Peterson remain that the wedding had been called off a short while ago.

    On the date of the shooting, police say there was a serious disagreement over the relationship status between the shooter and Haylie -- at which time she left the residence and upon returning, she discovered del Toro had left the residence on his bicycle -- taking weapons with him.

    Police say they learned this information from Peterson, and it was corroborated by others.

    The investigation to determine what led up to this incident continues, and any information that further identifies the motive for this attack will be released.

    Sergio Daniel Valencia del Toro



    On Wednesday, a majority of the first responders and dispatchers involved in this incident participated in a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. This debriefing is designed to reduce distress associated with participating in a critical incident and helping those involved to continue forward, doing their job, at the same high-level of performance as before.

    In addition, support was provided to community members for the third consecutive day.

    The Fox Cities Victim Crisis Responders were on hand to provide this service for a final day. Anyone that would still like to take part in counseling is encouraged to seek counseling to contact the Menasha Health Department at 316 Racine Street in Menasha or by calling (920) 967- 3520.

    Police say Erin Stoffel's condition continues to improve.

    A GoFundMe page has been established to benefit the Stoffel family. As of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6th, more than $134,000 had been raised for the family. CLICK HERE to visit the page.

    The following message was posted on the page Wednesday -- related to Erin Stoffel's condition:

    Hello,

    This is Julia Stoffel, wife of Brian who is Jon's brother. Erin is awake today and talking. She is getting stronger and was able to sit in a chair tonight. Her abdomen wound is very painful and she will be having another surgery on Thursday to repair the bone from the bullet hole on her left wrist.

    We will keep this page posted with frequent updates. Thank you so much to all who have given. In Erin's words, "I am blown away by the world's generosity."

    -Julia Stoffel


    Adam Bentdahl



    Funeral services will be held for Adam Bentdahl this weekend. A visitation will be held on Friday, May 8th at Valley Funeral Home from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., and again at the church on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. A funeral is planned for Saturday, May 9th at the Fox Valley Christian Fellowship on W. Kimberly Avenue in Kimberly. Bentdahl will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery in Appleton.

    A GoFundMe page has also been established for Adam Bentdahl. CLICK HERE to visit the page.

    Trestle Trail, Menasha