More charges filed against alleged interstate shooter

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By TODD RICHMOND
Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A southeastern Wisconsin man accused of killing two people is facing more charges in connection with an interstate police chase.

Columbia County prosecutors on Friday filed two counts of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of fleeing an officer against Zachary Hays.

Hays already faces a reckless homicide charge in Milwaukee County, as well as a homicide count and three counts of reckless endangerment in Sauk County.

Investigators believe Hays shot and killed his neighbor, Gabriel Sanchez, 42, in their West Allis apartment building on May 1. They also allege he then drove northwest with two of his brothers. The trio was heading south on Interstate 90/94 in Sauk County when he opened fire on Tracy Czaczkowski and her family in their vehicle, hitting the 44-year-old woman in the neck. She later died.

Police chased Hays through Columbia County to the Dane County line, where deputies stopped his SUV with a spike strip and shot him when he emerged with a gun.

According to the new complaint in Columbia County, Hays opened fire on another car carrying two people as they tried to pass him, hitting the vehicle’s hood. He fired his gun in the air as another vehicle carrying a couple and their grandchildren neared him, the complaint said.

He also turned his vehicle toward a state patrol squad car, appearing as if he meant to ram it. Hays straightened out after the trooper backed up, making an obscene gesture as he passed her, the complaint said.

Hays attorneys didn’t immediately respond to messages.

A recent psychiatrist’s report found Hays could be suffering from schizophrenia or another psychotic spectrum disorder. According to the report, Hays told the psychiatrist his problems might have been caused by marijuana laced with something like PCP.

He has preliminary hearings scheduled for Aug. 5 in Milwaukee County and Aug. 29 in Sauk County.