Sheboygan, WI – Police arrested 65-year-old Pao Lee after a morning confrontation that left a relative wounded and a 2-year-old granddaughter shot in the chest. Authorities say Lee believed the victim had been sending sexual messages to his wife and brought a gun to confront him; the child is expected to survive.
The incident unfolded at about 10:00 a.m. on Friday when officers arrived to find Lee being detained by bystanders and a 9 mm handgun discarded nearby. Lee has been charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless injury and is held on $2 million cash bond.
The Confrontation and Shooting
According to the criminal complaint, the alleged victim — who is related to Lee — was in a kitchen area getting milk for his granddaughter’s cereal when Lee entered the workplace. The two men spoke briefly before the encounter turned violent.
“You want to die today?” the victim says Lee asked while holding a gun to his face, the complaint states.
During the alleged struggle, the victim said he tried to grab the gun and remembered multiple shots being fired. Police say the man was wounded and the girl was shot in the chest; she is currently expected to survive. Bystanders and another person at the scene intervened, wrestled the weapon away from Lee and reportedly “threw it against a tree” before calling 911.
Suspect’s Motive and Statements
Police allege that Lee confronted the man because he believed the man was having an affair with Lee’s wife after finding messages on her phone. In an interview with detectives, Lee reportedly admitted he intended to kill the man and then kill himself, but said he did not mean to harm the child and “did not know” he had shot her.
“Lee said he decided he wanted to kill [the victim] and then kill himself,” the complaint notes.
Victim Conditions and Investigation
First responders transported the wounded adult and the child for medical care. Authorities have not released names of the victims beyond the suspect’s identity. Lee’s wife denied any affair during her interview with police and said the couple had argued the week prior when Lee accused her of a relationship with the victim.
- Suspect: Pao Lee, 65
- Weapon: 9 mm handgun (discarded at scene)
- Time of incident: ~10:00 a.m. on Friday
- Charges: Attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless injury
- Bond: $2 million cash
- Next court dates: Arraignment Sept. 15; preliminary hearing Sept. 17
- Location held: Sheboygan County Jail
Legal Process and Community Concerns
Lee was booked into the Sheboygan County Jail after his arrest. Prosecutors will now decide whether to pursue the charges as filed, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17. The high cash bond reflects the severity of the alleged offenses and the perceived risk to public safety.
Neighbors and community members are likely to raise concerns about workplace safety, access to firearms during personal disputes, and the risk such confrontations pose to children. Authorities have not released additional details about the workplace or security measures in place.
Background and Reporting
The details above are based on the criminal complaint and law-enforcement interviews reported by local media.
What Comes Next?
Authorities will continue to investigate the scene, interview witnesses and review evidence, including the gun recovered near the scene. The prosecution’s decisions and the outcome of the preliminary hearing on Sept. 17 will determine whether the case proceeds to trial.
If convicted, the charges—particularly attempted first-degree intentional homicide—carry significant prison exposure under Wisconsin law. The community and the victims’ families will also be watching closely as legal proceedings move forward.
Key takeaways:
- A 65-year-old man was arrested after a dispute over alleged messages led to gunfire that wounded a relative and a 2-year-old child.
- Lee allegedly told police he thought the victim had been sending sexual texts to his wife and admitted he intended to kill the man and then himself.
- The child is expected to survive, and Lee faces serious felony charges and is held on $2 million cash bond.
What do you think about this case? Have you or anyone you know been affected by family disputes that turned violent? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
