March 23, 2017 – With great sadness, the State Bar of Wisconsin has learned that attorney Sara H. Quirt-Sann, 43, is among four victims killed yesterday in shootings that occurred in three separate locations near Wausau, including a law firm in Schofield.
Authorities confirmed today that Quirt-Sann, a solo attorney in Schofield, was one of the shooting victims. Everest Metro Police Detective Jason T. Weiland, 40, and two local bank employees, Dianne M. Looke, 67, and Karen L. Barclay, 62, were also killed.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) today released an update on the shootings, indicating they were “motivated by a domestic incident” involving one shooter, a 45-year-old male suspect, who is in custody. He will be prosecuted by DOJ.
Quirt-Sann, a lifelong Wausau resident, graduated in 1999 from Valparaiso Law School. The DOJ’s press release notes that she was a loving wife, daughter, sister, stepmom, aunt, friend, and community servant who loved golf, yoga, her dog, and practicing law.
The State Bar of Wisconsin and the Marathon County Bar Association released a joint statement concerning this tragic event and the loss of a friend and colleague.
“Our Marathon County legal community is shaken to its core by this senseless act of violence that killed our dear friend and colleague,” said Robyn J. De Vos, president of the Marathon County Bar Association. “Sara was a smart, compassionate attorney who exuded a quiet confidence and, as a guardian ad litem, strove to understand the real struggles families face. She was a kind, beautiful person. We will never be the same.”
“Our deepest condolences go out to everyone affected by this tragedy," said State Bar of Wisconsin President Fran Deisinger. "Attorneys often intersect with and assist clients during the most difficult moments of their lives. It's truly heartbreaking when these complicated and challenging situations escalate to violence. Despite this tragedy, Wisconsin lawyers will remain dedicated to the important work of serving their clients and the community at large.”
