Full Notification

On Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at approximately 3:40am, the Sun Prairie Police Department received a report of a 16 year old male with a gunshot wound to his head in the parking lot of the Palace Cinema Movie Theater, 2830 Hoepker Road in Sun Prairie. Also on scene was a 14 and 12 year old male. Investigation indicates that the 16 year old male accidently shot himself. The 16 year male is currently in surgery and is expected to survive. The gun has been recovered and secured by police.

***UPDATE November 19, 2020***

The investigation has revealed that the gun was stolen from a vehicle in a residential area near the Palace Cinema Movie Theater on the evening of Tuesday November 17. All 3 juveniles (12, 14 and 16 year old males) are from Madison. This continues to be an active investigation and criminal charges are pending. More information will be released when it becomes available.


***UPDATE December 8, 2020***

Criminal charges have been referred for the following:

--16 year old male juvenile from Madison for Operating a Motor Vehicle without the Owner’s Consent. This is the same 16 year old male juvenile who accidently shot himself in the head. Investigation has revealed he accidently shot himself in the head when he was passing the stolen gun (stolen from a vehicle in Sun Prairie) to a rear juvenile passenger while sitting in the stolen vehicle. Vehicle was stolen in Madison. He has survived his wounds.

--12 year old male juvenile from Madison for Burglary While Armed and Obstructing an Officer.

--14 year old male juvenile from Madison for Party to a Crime (PTAC) of Burglary While Armed and for Obstructing an Officer. PTAC is just for the Burglary While Armed.

--14 year old male juvenile from Madison for Party to a Crime (PTAC) of Burglary While Armed and for Obstructing an Officer. PTAC is just for the Burglary While Armed.

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.