(Published Thursday, April 12, 2007 11:26:15 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Gina Duwe Gazette staff
Armed with a handgun, Alonzo K. Potts told Holice J. Wiggins to "back up from my face."
Wiggins replied, "What are you going to do, shoot me?"
That exchange began a shooting spree in which Potts pulled the trigger several times with the gun only inches from Wiggins chest, according to a criminal complaint.
Potts, 33, of 1608 N. Randall Ave., No. 19, Janesville, has been charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide. A cash bond is set at $50,000. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison.
Wiggins, 26, of 159 Linn St., remained in serious condition this morning at Mercy Hospital in Janesville. A doctor said Wiggins had been shot four or five times, and two bullets remained inside Wiggins upon his arrival at the hospital, according to the complaint.
According to the criminal complaint:
The shooting happened at 159 Linn St., the home of Potts' mother and sister, Barbara and Hamidah Potts.
Alonzo Potts arrived at the home shortly after midnight Tuesday. Apparently upset, he was using foul language and appeared to have been drinking.
He began "bickering" with the father of Hamidah's child, Shawn Denson. Hamidah tried to intervene, but her brother pushed her out of the way.
Wiggins then arrived at the residence.
At some point, Potts went upstairs and returned with a gun and shot it. Wiggins tried to calm him down, and the heated exchange started, witnesses told police.
After Wiggins was shot, he tried to move away from Potts, who kept shooting at Wiggins. Hamidah said she ran into the basement and hid under the stairs. She said Wiggins was fighting to stay on his feet.
Potts approached his sister, pointing the gun at her and saying something to the effect of, "B--, if you ever get in the way of my business again."
Denson left the house in Wiggins' vehicle as the exchange began and drove until he noticed Wiggins walking down the street. He picked Wiggins up and took him to Mercy Hospital when he saw blood on his neck and chest.
Police located Potts driving a white Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme in the area and eventually stopped the vehicle on South Jackson Street. Potts exited the vehicle at gunpoint and cooperated with police.
Police searching the area found a bloodstained .380-caliber handgun on the terrace just east of 314 McKinley.
