36-year-old Thomas Seville Zollicoffer Charged With Three Counts Of 1st-degree Intentional Homicide In Milwaukee

Triple homicide suspect Zollicoffer is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole in Milwaukee County.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 14, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Thomas Seville Zollicoffer, 36, aka, "Thomas Bull" was criminally charged with three counts for 1st-degree intentional homicide and four counts for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, for the August 8 murders of Vanessa De Herrera, 26; Scott Bucholz, 29, and Shamarla "Asir" Hare, 38, in Milwaukee. Several of the victims were well known in LGBTQ community in Milwaukee.

Also on Thursday, Elana Cole, 38, was charged with one felony count for harboring and felon (helping to hide Zollicoffer) and three misdemeanor counts for child neglect, according to Milwaukee County court records.

If convicted, Zollicoffer is facing up to three life terms in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to the pending homicide charges, on August 8th, Zollicoffer got into a domestic dispute with De Herrera at the Van Dyke Knitting Co. Lofts located at the 2100 block of W. Pierce Street. Zollicoffer fatally shot De Herrera and then fatally shot Bucholz after he attempted to defend De Herrera. Zollicoffer was De Herrera's ex-boyfriend.

After the double homicide in the Southside of Milwaukee, Zollicoffer went to the N. 39 and W. Townsend Streets and also fatally shot Hare.

Zollicoffer was previously convicted for multiple felonies that include 3rd-degree sexual assault, instigation animal fights, and instigation animal fight training.

Larry, "El Paletero" Assaulted From Behind By Suspect At The 1200 S. 16 Street In The Southside Of Milwaukee

Larry suffered multiple injuries to his face when he was struck from behind and then repeatedly kicked by suspect.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 13, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Thursday, Jair A. Varela, the owner of Beto's Pizza at the 1200 block of S. 16 Street in Milwaukee released indoor and outdoor videos showing a suspect run up behind Larry Rauch, 43, known as "El Paletero", one of Beto's Pizza customers who was walking outside of Beto's Pizza and struck him from behind, and then kicked him multiple times. Valera in his Facebook account asked the local community to help identify the suspect.

Rauch may lose his vision in his injured right eye, according to Valera.

According to Rauch's family members, Larry also has a broken nose, he is disabled (can't work) and is mentally challenged. A GoFundMe was created by his cousin Mercedes López. (GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-larrys-recovery-after-the-attack)

Facebook community detectives, identified the suspect as Angel Garcia Santibañez, aka, "El Chucky" from the town, Poblado Tres Valles, Veracruz, Mexico.

Police have received a copy the video surveillance footage and are searching for the suspect.

Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) also acquired the videos of the assault courtesy of Beto's Pizza. (Videos: https://youtube.com/shorts/uR5PD7ky0sQ)

Update: On Friday, August 14, 2026, Milwaukee police arrested Angel Garcia Santibañez and criminal charges are pending.

26-year-old Ismael E. Luna Facing Election Fraud Allegations In The 8th Assembly District In Wisconsin

Luna won the Democrat nomination for the 8th Assembly District in the Southside on Tuesday's Primary election, but his campaign has opened a can of worms and is now facing allegations that he might have engaged in election fraud.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 12, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Ismael Luna, 26, the candidate that won the Democrat nomination in the 8th Assembly District in the Southside of Milwaukee is now facing serious allegations from Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) that Luna used the 1423 W. Walker Street address for the purpose to run for the State Assembly seat, but never lived at the address. The home and address that Luna used for his political campaign website, nomination papers, Declaration of Candidacy and registering to vote is actually owned by his stepfather, Ismael Rios Beltran, according to sources including the City of Milwaukee property owner records.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez in a prior announcement that she will be filing a formal complaint with the state elections commission challenging challenger Ismael Luna's residency and ballot eligibility. The complaint outlines substantial evidence indicating that Luna does not legally reside within the district he was seeking to represent.

While Luna claims to be a resident of the district, public property and records indicate otherwise. The complaint details that Luna currently owns two separate homes outside of the district's boundaries and maintains his primary, day-to-day residence at one of those out-of-district properties, which is at the S. Honey Creek Drive in Milwaukee where he resides with his partner.  The S. Honey Creek Drive home has a valued market of $386,000, Luna is also the alternate owner with his partner of a property on S. 35 Street in the City of Greenfield, which has a market value of $265,000.

Furthermore, the Ortiz-Velez campaign raised alarm over the out-of-state financial interests backing Luna’s candidacy including the Assembly Democrat Campaign Committee (ADCC) led by Democrat Minority Leader Representative Greta Neubauer (D-Racine). Luna’s campaign has been heavily subsidized by dark money organizations and special interest groups based in Washington, D.C., and New York, according to Rep. Ortiz-Velez.

Representative Ortiz-Velez released the following statement regarding the alleged complaint:

"The people of this district deserve a representative who actually lives in our neighborhoods, shops at our local businesses, and understands the daily realities our families face. When you combine this with the flood of dark money pouring into his campaign from Washington, D.C., and New York, it becomes entirely clear who Ismael Luna is actually working for—and it isn't us. We are calling on the election commission to conduct a swift and thorough investigation to protect the integrity of our local elections."

Luna who won the Democrat nomination for the 8th Assembly District could face a possible election fraud criminal probe. Rep. Ortiz-Velez is expected to file her complaint with the Wisconsin Election Commission, Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.

Editor's note: On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Luna for Assembly responded to the HNNUSA article. A screenshot of the Luna campaign response is attached. No one was identified as the individual responding to the HNNUSA article.

WI State Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) Ousted By State And Milwaukee County Political Democrat Bosses, Ismael Luna Wins Democrat Nomination In The 8th Assembly District

The political Democrat bosses in the State Assembly and Milwaukee County set precedent for statewide Democrats in Wisconsin, the message, follow orders of not voting for bipartisan bills with Republicans when told, if you break the rule, then you will be ousted during the partisan Primary Elections.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 11, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) lost her bid for the Democrat nomination in the 8th Assembly District. Her challenger, Ismael Luna, 26, won the Democrat nomination with 100% reporting: 2,201 votes, 70.25%, compared to Rep. Ortiz-Velez with 928 votes, 29.62%. Luna was seen as the outsider (carpetbagger) in the race for the Democrat nomination and will now be considered as the lame duck representative, if he gets elected in November 2026. Luna will be facing former Milwaukee Alderman Angel Sánchez who is running as a Republican in the 8th Assembly District. Sánchez is strong Trump MAGA supporter.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez was instrumental in helping to pass the DACA bill in the state that allowed for registered DACA college students who graduate from colleges and universities to apply for professional licenses in Wisconsin to work.

It's unfortunate, that immigrant families in the 8th Assembly District who have children that are U.S. Citizens and can vote didn't support Rep. Ortiz-Velez in the Primary Election 2026. Many backed and supported Luna to win the Democratic nomination.

The hundreds of partisan Democrat voters in the 8th Assembly District that elected Luna to be their Democratic candidate in November 2026 General Election, apparently showed their hypocrisy after Rep. Ortiz-Velez was very successful to help pass the DACA bipartisan bill. Also, the Luna supporters and voters unwillingly allowed for the Democratic political bosses in the Wisconsin State Assembly and Milwaukee County set precedent that will lead to future consequences, which is, if you don't adhere to the political bosses orders, not to vote with Republicans in bipartisan bills, and if Democrats decide to vote with Republicans when told not too, they will be ousted during their next Primary elections seeking the Democratic nomination to run as a Democrat.

Rep. Ortiz-Velez was considered an independent voting Democrat who voted for the interest of her district, but Tuesday's Primary Election results showed that voters were willing to give up their own right for equal representation in the Democrat Party of Wisconsin and Milwaukee County Democrats.

Luna unknowingly or knownly accepted to become a lame duck, if he is elected to 8th Assembly District in November, Luna must now follow the precedent set by the Democratic political bosses and special interest groups, which is to follow the political bosses rules to the letter, (despite going against your constituency interests) or get ousted in the next Primary Election. 

If Luna gets elected in November 2026, he will serve for two years, and is expected to be the "Yes" (vendido/sellout) State Assembly representative for the Democrat White political bosses in the Assembly.

Nearly $500,000 including dark money was invested in the Luna for Wisconsin Assembly campaign in 8th Assembly District by immigrant rights organizations, Voces de la Frontera Action, labor unions, Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee (ADCC) and etc..., to help oust Rep. Ortiz-Velez.

Also, Priscilla Prado (D-Milw) in the 9th Assembly District defeated challenger Milwaukee Public Schools Board member Mimi Reza for the Democratic nomination. Rep. Prado won the Democrat nomination with 100% reporting, 3,019 votes, 70.67%, compared to Reza 1,237 votes, 28.96% of the vote. Prado will face Republican Samuel Guerrero in the November 2026 General Election.

In other races, U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Governor won the Republican nomination for the November election. 

In the race for the Democrat nomination for Governor in Wisconsin between Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Wisconsin State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison), Crowley was the projected winner for the Democratic nomination for Wisconsin Governor. Crowley received 313,321 votes, 39.8% of the votes, compared to Hong who received 310,110 votes, 39.4% of the vote.

County of Milwaukee | County Clerk | 8-11-26 Partisan Primary - Unofficial Results (Election Night Website) https://share.google/HpzhdKoxe1Y2bpGV2

36-year-old Thomas Seville Zollicoffer Arrested By Police In Connection With The Homicides Of Vanessa De Herrera, 26; Scott Bucholz, 29, And Shamarla "Asir" Hare, 38, In Milwaukee

Triple homicide suspect Zollicoffer was taken into custody in Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 11, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Tuesday, Milwaukee police took triple homicide suspect Thomas Seville Zollicoffer, 36, aka, Thomas Bull, into custody after 3:00 p.m. after a stand off with police at the 8400 block of W. Fiebrantz Ave.. Zollicoffer was wanted in connection for the August 8th triple homicide of Vanessa De Herrera, 26; Scott Bucholz, 29, and Shamarla "Asir" Hare, 38, in Milwaukee. Several of the victims were well known in LGBTQ community in Milwaukee.

Zollicoffer is facing three life terms in prison without the possibility of parole for the cold blooded homicides of the three victims. He is also facing multiple charges for a felon use of weapon involving death.

According to the pending homicide charges, on August 8th, Zollicoffer got into a domestic dispute with De Herrera at the Van Dyke Knitting Co. Lofts located at the 2100 block of W. Pierce Street. Zollicoffer fatally shot De Herrera and then fatally shot Bucholz after he attempted to defend De Herrera. Zollicoffer was De Herrera's ex-boyfriend.

After the double homicide in the Southside of Milwaukee, Zollicoffer went to the N. 39 and W. Townsend Streets and also fatally shot Hare.

Zollicoffer was previously convicted for multiple felonies that include 3rd-degree sexual assault, instigation animal fights, and instigation animal fight training.

Allegations Raised That Candidate Ismael Luna In The 8th Assembly District Might Have Misrepresented Himself As A Local Milwaukee Southside Resident

Meza, who apparently says that he is a family member of the owner of the home, which candidate Luna in the 8th Assembly District listed for the Ismael Luna for Wisconsin Assembly campaign website address, indicated that Luna does not rent or live at the address. Attempts to verify Meza's Facebook account was unsuccessful.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 10, 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Saturday, Victor Huyke, the Publisher of El Conquistador Latino Newspaper received Facebook messenger messages from Elias Meza who identified himself as a family member of the home owner of a house that Huyke posted a photo off with a broken window in the first level of the home in his social media account, but the house photo post included no address (house located at 1423 W. Walker Street), allegedly indicating that Ismael Luna, a candidate for the Wisconsin State Assembly in the 8th District doesn't actually rent or live at the address, which Luna has listed in his nomination papers, Declaration of Candidacy and in his political website. (Link: Ismael Luna for Wisconsin State Assembly District 8 https://share.google/PPWh7snOw8s1W42pu)

Huyke contacted Hispanic News Network U.S.A. (HNNUSA) and released the Facebook messenger messages sent by Meza allegedly saying Luna doesn't rent or live at the pictured home in the Southside of Milwaukee.

Meza wrote, "Hello I’ve been getting lots of messages of a picture of a house that you posted this property is not owned or rented by Ismael Luna anything done to this property will come back to you We have no association with this person thank you." Luna needs to answer why he is claiming that he lives here, according to Huyke. (Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KeqSs6dVZ/)

Luna responded after the Facebook home photo by Huyke went viral showing a home with a broken window, signs of possible black mole and upper siding repairs in the Southside, which is located at W. Walker Street. Luna informed Huyke that he doesn't own the W. Walker Street property, but is renting the home. (Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DSMDYJrUK/)

Huyke was accused by Luna's supporters of doxing Luna's address at W. Walker Street, which Huyke never posted Luna's address, but the fact is that Luna publicly doxed himself by posting 1423 W. Walker Street address in his political website and where campaign donors could sent money too.

Since the viral home photo circulating revelation, questions have been raised that Luna might not actually reside at the W. Walker Street location. Sources have also allegedly indicated that Luna is spending his nights at one of his properties with his long time male partner at a home at S. Honey Creek Drive instead at the W. Walker Street.

Candidate Luna, 26, is a openly member of the LGBTQ community in Milwaukee, and is considered an outsider (carpetbagger) in the 8th Assembly District who doesn't have a voting history in primary and local elections. Luna will be considered a lame duck in office, if he actually gets elected to represent the 8th Assembly District. 

Most of the Wisconsin State Assembly Democrat Caucus members are backing, campaigning (canvassing) and supporting Luna in an attempt to oust Wisconsin State Assembly Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) because she has been an independent Democrat who represents her district and doesn't adhere to Wisconsin State Assembly Democrat Minority Leader Representative Greta Neubauer's (D-Racine) decisions to keep (prohibit) Democrats from voting with across the aisle Republican bipartisan bills that benefit the State. (WI Assembly floor video link: https://youtu.be/RAFbtv0ZXkA)

HNNUSA checked the property ownership at 1423 W. Walker Street with the City of Milwaukee and it shows that Ismael Rios Beltran is the current property owner. HNNUSA could not immediately confirm, if Meza is actually related to Beltran. 

If in fact, Luna doesn't rent or live at 1423 W. Walker Street, then where does he live?

According to the City of Greenfield, Luna is the alternate home owner with his partner of a home at S. 35 St., which is valued at $265,000, and another home listed at S. Honey Creek Drive in Milwaukee valued at $386,000 in Milwaukee. However, Luna's voting registration information shows that he is registered to vote at the 1423 W. Walker Street location.

Luna posted in his social media (Facebook) political account that he would no longer respond to questions being raised by Huyke including the viral home photo that Huyke posted in social media.

Nearly $500,000 dollars of combined campaign donations and other alleged dark campaign money has been spent to support the Luna campaign in an attempt to oust incumbent Wisconsin State Assembly Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw). (Article link: https://tinyurl.com/2h98zvec)

It seems, that the Luna campaign has opened a can of worms, or he has allegedly misrepresented himself as a candidate.

This is a developing story, stay tune for more revelations of the Luna campaign trail.

Update: On Monday, August 10, 2026, Wisconsin State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milw) announced that she has filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Election Commission claiming that candidate Ismael Luna doesn't actually live in the 8th Assembly District.

State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez Files Formal Complaint Challenging Residency Validity of Opponent Ismael Luna

MILWAUKEE, WI — Today, the campaign for State Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez announced it will be filing a formal complaint with the state elections commission challenging challenger Ismael Luna's residency and ballot eligibility. The complaint outlines substantial evidence indicating that Luna does not legally reside within the district he is seeking to represent.

While Luna claims to be a resident of the district, public property and records indicate otherwise. The complaint details that Luna currently owns two separate homes outside of the district's boundaries and maintains his primary, day-to-day residence at one of those out-of-district properties. 

Furthermore, the Ortiz-Velez campaign raised alarm over the out-of-state financial interests backing Luna’s candidacy. Luna’s campaign has been heavily subsidized by dark money organizations and special interest groups based in Washington, D.C., and New York.

Representative Sylvia Ortiz-Velez released the following statement regarding the complaint:

"The people of this district deserve a representative who actually lives in our neighborhoods, shops at our local businesses, and understands the daily realities our families face. When you combine this with the flood of dark money pouring into his campaign from Washington, D.C., and New York, it becomes entirely clear who Ismael Luna is actually working for—and it isn't us. We are calling on the election commission to conduct a swift and thorough investigation to protect the integrity of our local elections."

Double Homicide Suspect Thomas Seville Zollicoffer, 36, Sought By Milwaukee Police In Connection With The Fatal Shooting Of Venessa De Herrera, 26, And Scott Bucholz, 29, In The Southside Of Milwaukee

Double homicide reported at the 2100 block of W. Pierce Street in the Southside of Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

August 9. 2026

Milwaukee, Wisconsin- On Saturday, August 8, 2026, Milwaukee police responded around 9:44 p.m. to shots fired at the 2100 block of W. Pierce St. in the Southside of Milwaukee. Police located a 26-year-old Vanessa De Herrera and 29-year-old Scott Bucholz with multiple gunshot wounds at the Van Dyke Knitting Co. Lofts building.

Both victims were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Police are searching for the alleged homicide suspect identified as Thomas Seville Zollicoffer, 36, who was De Herrera's ex-boyfriend in connection with the double homicide on Saturday.

Milwaukee police are also investigating another homicide that occurred at N. 39 and  W. Townsend Streets, which the victim was identified as  Shamarla "Asir" Hare, 38, and Zollicoffer is also a homicide suspect in that murder investigation.

Update: On Tuesday, August 11, 2026 around 3:00 p.m.,  Milwaukee police arrested Thomas Seville Zollicoffer, 36, after a stand off at the 8400 block of W. Fiebrantz Ave., according to police.