Robert Crotteau, 42, was one of six people killed on November 21, 2004, in Meteor, Wisconsin, in what became known as the Deer Woods Murder. The shooting occurred after Chai Soua Vang, 36, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was confronted for trespassing on private hunting land; an argument followed and Vang opened fire on a group of hunters. Vang used a 7.62×39mm semiautomatic rifle, fired 22 shots until he ran out of ammunition, and shot Robert through the heart. Robert’s 20-year-old son, Joey Crotteau, was also killed, shot four times in the back with a final bullet to the neck and head. Two other people were wounded.

Vang was arrested and charged with multiple counts of first-degree intentional homicide. He pleaded self-defense at trial but was convicted on all counts and sentenced to six consecutive life terms plus 70 years without the possibility of parole. The case drew attention to tensions between the Hmong community and the area’s predominantly white hunters, and prompted discussion about hunting safety and communication.