Aug. 11, 2026
By Tim Hundt
VIROQUA Wis. – Viroqua city officials and the Viroqua Skylighters announced today that an independent investigation into a simulated machine gun display that at the Fourth of July fireworks show has concluded with no criminal charges or further actions.
The investigation stemmed from a holiday incident at the Vernon County Fairgrounds when a Jeep carrying four individuals drove onto the fairgrounds track with a simulated 50 caliber automatic rifle mounted to the roof before the annual fireworks display. The device simulated realistic gunfire with rapid sounds and muzzle flashes. Because the weapon sounded like a real firearm, some spectators, especially families watching near the Viroqua Community Arena who could not see the Jeep, feared an active shooter incident might be taking place.
Viroqua Police Chief Rick Niedfeldt initiated the probe after public complaints were submitted through city hall. Niedfeldt later met with the mayor, the city attorney and Fire Chief Chad Buros to review the incident before deciding to enlist an independent third party agency to handle the investigation. Niedfeldt explained that calling in an outside department was necessary to ensure the investigation remained completely impartial.
“After the conversation, it was decided to have an outside agency look into the complaint and see if any criminal behavior was done,” said Niedfeldt.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office spent several weeks reviewing the details of the event, interviewing witnesses and analyzing the intent of the individuals involved. According to a joint statement released by Viroqua officials and the Viroqua Skylighters, the independent review found that the actions did not cross the line into criminal conduct. The independent agency officially cleared the event from further scrutiny in its final report.
“The actions at the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration do not warrant further investigation or criminal charges,” the third party agency concluded in its report.
Following the independent agency findings, the city and the Skylighters announced they would officially close the matter. However, city leadership and fireworks organizers acknowledged that the stunt was a mistake and apologized to the community for the distress it caused. The groups expressed regret that the event went awry and left families in fear.
“We, the City of Viroqua and Viroqua Skylighters acknowledge that poor decisions were made, the event did not go according to plan, and many participants were startled, scared and frustrated,” the groups said in their joint statement. “We commit to better planning and communication in the future.”
The fallout from the simulated gunfire had previously prompted a swift and unified response from city leadership, including an immediate joint public apology on July 7 from Mayor Krista Browne and Skylighters representatives Dane Piper and Dean Hoff. Browne explained that the group gathered to discuss the event because the community deserved transparency.
“We know better because of our roles as public servants veterans and students of hunter safety that this act was not safe and in the moment poor decisions were made,” said Browne. “We apologize.”
Browne had also clarified in earlier interviews that while the city provides a financial contribution to the fireworks and helps with insurance, the celebration is not a city run event. The display takes place on private property owned by the Vernon County Agricultural Society and has been run by local volunteer group the Viroqua Skylighters for decades.
In the week following the apology, the Vernon County Board Public Safety Committee debated the public safety implications of the unannounced theatrics. Sheriff Roy Torgerson briefed the committee on the incident, confirming that the weapon was actually a propane powered replica equipped with a spark plug rather than an actual firearm. Torgerson explained that both civilians and officers are judged on what they reasonably perceive in the moment.
“I think that to answer your question about deadly force, it is what you perceived, what you reasonably perceived in that moment,” said Torgerson. “That is how you would be judged on that.”
To prevent similar situations in the future, city officials and the Skylighters promised to provide complete transparency for next year. They announced that Viroqua residents will receive the full event schedule and lineup well in advance of the holiday.
“The public can expect plans for the 2027 fireworks to be communicated in advance, with an event line up, so all participants know what to expect and that they are safe at our community celebration,” city officials and organizers said in the joint announcement.
Add comment