VIROQUA, Wis. — Mayor Krista Browne vowed to get answers to a weekend incident in which people were terrorized by a simulated automatic rifle attack as they awaited for an evening fireworks display. Browne called it an “unexpected moment.” A Jeep drove onto the fairgrounds track with a 50-caliber automatic rifle mounted to the roof . There were sound effects with flashes from the muzzle. Dennis Brandt, who was with his family, told the Vernon Reporter:
“Just before the fireworks began I distinctly remember hearing what I recognized as a semiautomatic rifle firing rapidly. One or two clips, I’m not sure. My first thought, even though we were parked by the Ice Arena a good ways away, was: What if that that’s a mass shooter? Are there more? I begin looking around at all the families that were there. This could be a nightmare. How do I protect my family if shooting starts near us? How do we escape? Anyone nearby look suspicious?”
Early reports that the incident was at a gunshow arena at the fairgrounds were wrong. The Jeep drove onto the fairgrounds track. Mayor Browne said she has questions for:
> Wisconsin Gun Buyers Shows, based in Waupaca, which promotes its events at the fairgrounds.
> Vernon County Agricultural Society, which operates the fair.
> Viroqua Skylighters, which sponsors the annual Fourth of July fireworks.
Sure looks real. The Jeep’s colors and markings closely resembled the World War II four-wheelers, which remain in production albeit through many reincarnations.
Browne. Viroqua mayor. Elected in April.