Wisconsin man shoots at father of his wife's child 2 weeks after prison release

RACINE, Wis. (WITI) -- A Racine man stands accused of trying to kill the father of his wife's child 19 days after the suspect's release from prison. Prosecutors said the shots fired incident happened after a confrontation inside a Racine bar.

Phillip Hibbler, 35, faces two charges, filed on Sept. 10: Attempted first-degree intentional homicide, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

A criminal complaint noted Hibbler's history of convictions and incarceration dating back to 2005. Prosecutors said he was released from prison on Aug. 13, 19 days before this alleged shooting incident in Racine.

According to the complaint, around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 1, police responded to multiple reports of shots fired near GRC Sport Lounge on Douglas Avenue near Hubbard Street.

While officers were investigating, the victim approached and advised that he was in the bar when Hibbler approached. He said Hibbler “was being confrontational,” and the victim “did not want any trouble,” so he left the bar and called for a ride. He said he was picked up and brought back to his vehicle, which was parked nearby. He said he got into his vehicle, and shortly thereafter, Hibbler opened the victim's driver's side door and pointed a handgun at the victim, telling the victim, “I'm going to kill you.” The victim said he pushed the gun aside and drove away, at which point he heard gunfire and his vehicle was struck. He said he drove to an address on Erie Street and called police. He was not hurt.

Police found bullet holes on the man's vehicle, and the complaint said 15 9mm casings were found in the area. A parked vehicle, a white box truck, was also struck on its passenger side.

The complaint said the victim identified the shooter by last name — Hibbler — and via a photo array. Additionally, the complaint said surveillance video from inside the bar backed up the victim's story regarding the events that preceded the shots fired incident.

The victim said he and Hibbler's wife shared a child, and indicated Hibbler had just gotten out of prison two weeks before this incident occurred.

Hibbler made his initial appearance in court in this case on Sept. 10. Probable cause was found for further proceedings, and cash bond was set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 18.