Sentencing delayed for man convicted of shooting outside EC bar
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Sentencing for a Chippewa Falls man convicted of shooting a gun outside an Eau Claire tavern in August 2020 was once again delayed Thursday, after his attorney made a last-minute request asking for additional time to obtain an alternate pre-sentencing investigation.
Travis W. Rosciszewski, 51, 912 Pearl St., fired 11 shots in the August 2020 incident, then skipped out on his sentencing in November 2023 after pleading no contest in Chippewa County Court to being a felon in possession of a firearm. As part of the plea agreement, charges of second-degree recklessly endangering safety and negligent handling of a weapon were read in and dismissed.
When Rosciszewski didn't show up for his sentencing, Judge Benjamin Lane revoked his $2,000 cash bond and issued a warrant for his arrest. Court records show this was at least the third time Rosciszewski failed to attend court; warrants were issued for him in Sept. 2022 and in April 2023. Rosciszewski was finally apprehended in November 2024 and has been incarcerated in the Chippewa County Jail since. His bond has been revoked as well.
Rosciszewski was slated to be sentenced Thursday, but defense attorney Ryan Koehler requested another delay to obtain the alternate PSI.
Chippewa County Assistant District Attorney Sheila Yohnk expressed frustration, pointing out that the case is now nearly five years old, and the original sentencing date was more than a year ago.
Lane reluctantly agreed to the delay, and re-set sentencing for May 6. He warned Koehler the sentencing would take place that day, with or without an alternate PSI on file. Lane noted that the presentence investigation conducted by the Department of Corrections calls for a prison sentence.
'He is realizing what the consequences could be, and he wants another bite at the apple,' Lane said. 'It's not sitting well with the court.'
The shooting at the bar occurred at about 2:30 a.m. Aug. 8, 2020, outside Hobbsy and Me bar, 3620 Locust Lane, in a portion of Eau Claire located in Chippewa County.
According to the criminal complaint, two groups began arguing outside the tavern, when a man — identified as Rosciszewski — got a gun from his red pickup truck and fired a series of shots.
A female ride-share driver was sitting in her vehicle outside the tavern and observed the man pull out the gun. She said one shot struck the rear driver's side quarter panel of her car.
Both the bartender and bar owner observed the altercation as well. Officers found seven spent ammunition casings, and the bar employees found another four. The casings matched a Luger 9mm gun.
Police obtained video surveillance from outside the tavern and shared those images on the department's Facebook page. Officers later were able to identify a woman who was dating Rosciszewski, and she said he was the driver of the red pickup truck. However, she claimed she chose to walk home and didn't see anyone fire a weapon.
When officers interviewed Rosciszewski on the phone, he claimed he heard fireworks. He admitted he was not supposed to have a firearm. Rosciszewski refused to give a current address to officers, and refused to come in for an in-person meeting, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Online court records show that Rosciszewski was convicted of theft of movable property in Eau Claire County Court in 1997 and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He has prior convictions for escape, burglary and receiving stolen property.
In February 2024, Rosciszewski also was charged in Chippewa County Court with criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct—domestic abuse, bail jumping and misdemeanor theft. Rosciszewski entered a no contest plea in that case Thursday, and will serve one year in jail, but was given credit for 114 days already served.
According to the criminal complaint, a Lake Hallie woman told police she has been dating Rosciszewski. He came to her home unannounced on Jan. 25. They got into a verbal argument. She 'stated Rosciszewski picked up a cement block and smashed it into her windshield.' He then threw a block through a driver's side window. She contacted police, and he fled on foot, taking her cell phone with him.
The officer observed the damage to the vehicle, which was estimated at $5,000.
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