Charges Filed Against Dan Popp For Triple Murder Of Hmong Couple And Puerto Rican In Milwaukee

Popp fatally shot one victim because he was from Puerto Rico and couldn't speak English.

By H. Nelson Goodson

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 10, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, Dan Popp, 39, was charged with three felony counts for 1st-degree intentional homicide and one felony count for attempted 1st-degree intentional homicide for the March 6 homicides of Jesús Manso-Pérez, 40, Phia Vue, 36, and Mai Vue-Xiong, 32, at a four unit apartment at 3330 S. 92nd Street.

If convicted on all felony murder counts, Popp is facing three consecutive life terms in prison and 60 years in prison on the attempted homicide. A cash bond of $150,000 has been set for Popp.

A rifle and gun were recovered at the scene.
The homicide victims and Popp lived in the same four unit apartment building, according to police. 

The Vue couple are survived by four children and the youngest is 4, according to a family member.

According to police, Popp went to the Vue's apartment and forced his way inside. Once inside, Popp gathered all the family members to a back room, then took Phia to the bathroom and shot him dead. He then took Mia and several young girls upstairs to his apartment and fatally shot the mother. The two girls managed to escape. 

One of the teenagers escaped outside and went to a neighbor for help. He told the neighbor that the deadly incident might have started over a laundry room dispute.

Manso-Pérez was the first victim that was shot at point blank. According to the criminal complaint, Manso-Pérez and his son had gone downstairs to wash when they were approached by Popp who asked them where they were from. Manso-Pérez responded from Puerto Rico and Popp said, that is why you can't speak English. Afterwards, when Manso-Pérez and his son were at their apartment, Popp came over and knocked at the door, when Manso-Pérez opened the apartment door, Popp pointed a rifle at him and told him "You guys got to go" and fatally shot him in the head. He then attempted to kill Manso-Pérez' son too by firing a shot at him.

When police arrived, Popp came out of the four unit apartment and surrendered after police repeatedly ordered him to drop his weapons.

Medical records show that Popp was being treated and taking medicine for a mental related issue as a U.S. Veteran in 2008, but had weapons in his possession, according to court records.
Police have not confirmed, if Popp's triple homicide was motivated by Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump's anti-immigrant racist and hate rhetoric towards Latinos and minorities.

A GoFundMe Vue/Xiong family memorial for funeral expenses has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/tmt6st7f

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help pay for Jesús Manso-Pérez funeral expenses at https://www.gofundme.com/5qt2y57u