Thomas Seville Zollicoffer is accused of killing three people Aug. 8 before a days-long search ended with his arrest.
MILWAUKEE, WI — A 36-year-old Milwaukee man has been charged with three counts of first-degree intentional homicide after prosecutors accused him of killing three people in two shootings about 20 minutes apart on Saturday, Aug. 8, according to court filings and local police reports.
Thomas Seville Zollicoffer is accused in the deaths of Vanessa DeHerrera, 26, Scott Bucholz, 29, and Shamarla “Asir” Hare, 39. Prosecutors also filed multiple charges alleging Zollicoffer illegally possessed firearms as a convicted felon. Local reports differ on the number of firearm counts listed against him. Zollicoffer was arrested Aug. 11 after police surrounded a home near North 84th Street and West Fiebrantz Avenue, ending a search that had begun after investigators linked the two shooting scenes.
The first shooting was reported about 9:45 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Knitting Factory Lofts near South 21st and West Pierce streets. According to the criminal complaint, DeHerrera had been staying at a friend’s apartment when Zollicoffer, described in court records as her former live-in boyfriend, arrived. Witnesses told investigators that Zollicoffer and DeHerrera began arguing. Prosecutors allege he later pulled a gun and shot DeHerrera. Bucholz also was shot. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
DeHerrera’s family told FOX6 that she was the mother of two young boys and had been trying to leave an on-and-off relationship. Bucholz’s relatives said in online posts cited by the station that he had been trying to help a friend during a domestic dispute. Milwaukee police said while the suspect was still being sought that investigators considered the shootings connected and domestic violence-related.
About 20 minutes after officers responded to the Pierce Street shooting, police were called to another shooting near North 39th Street and West Townsend Street, roughly four miles away. Officers found Hare suffering from gunshot wounds. She was taken to a hospital and died during surgery, according to court filings. A witness told investigators that Zollicoffer entered the home shortly before Hare was shot. Court records reviewed by local news organizations did not establish the nature of the relationship between Zollicoffer and Hare.
Investigators developed evidence they said connected Zollicoffer to both scenes. Court filings cited by FOX6 said ballistic evidence recovered after the shootings was linked to the same firearm. Investigators also obtained cellphone information that placed Zollicoffer’s phone near both locations around the time of the killings. Surveillance footage and witness accounts helped police track a light-colored sedan that investigators said was used to travel between the locations.
Police eventually found the vehicle and interviewed a man who told investigators he had picked up Zollicoffer from the Pierce Street location and driven him to the area of 39th and Townsend, according to the filings. The man was in custody when FOX6 reported on the charges but had not been charged in connection with the killings. The complaint also says investigators recovered surveillance footage showing a person arrive at the Townsend Street home, enter and leave a little more than two minutes later.
The search for Zollicoffer ended Aug. 11 when Milwaukee police surrounded a house near 84th and Fiebrantz. Police said he barricaded himself inside, prompting a tactical response and the involvement of crisis negotiators. Court filings say Zollicoffer threw two loaded guns from the home before eventually coming outside. Officers then took him into custody after a standoff that lasted about an hour.
According to the criminal complaint, Zollicoffer gave investigators differing accounts of the Pierce Street shooting during an interview after his arrest. The filings say he initially claimed Bucholz had shot DeHerrera, but later acknowledged shooting her and Bucholz. The complaint also says he admitted shooting Hare. Those statements are allegations contained in court records and have not been tested at trial.
A second person, 38-year-old Elana Cole, also faces charges stemming from the investigation. Prosecutors allege Cole allowed Zollicoffer to remain at her home even after learning that he was suspected in the killings. Court records cited by local stations say she is charged with harboring or aiding a felon and child neglect-related offenses. Zollicoffer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and the criminal case will proceed through Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
Author note: Last updated August 16, 2026.