Nicolae Miu was convicted of reckless homicide, battery, and four counts of recklessly endangering safety after fatally stabbing a high school student and injuring four others during a fight on the Apple River in Wisconsin. The incident occurred on July 30, 2022, while Miu and the others were tubing on the river. The fight reportedly broke out after people accused Miu of approaching children in the water with a snorkel and goggles. Miu claimed that he was searching for a cellphone in the water and acted in self-defense when he attacked the group.
Video evidence presented in court showed Miu punching a woman in the group, which appeared to start the altercation. Miu can be seen falling into the water and reemerging gripping a knife, which he used to stab one of the teens. Witnesses also captured footage of someone accusing Miu of “looking for little girls” before the attack. Defense attorneys argued that Miu was taunted and swarmed by the group of teenagers, creating a hostile environment where Miu felt threatened and acted in self-defense.
Miu had been tubing down the river with his wife and a small group of friends on the day of the incident. When questioned about his use of a knife during the altercation, Miu maintained that he believed he would have been killed if he had not defended himself. However, prosecutors called Miu’s actions “senseless acts of violence” and argued that he could have walked away from the situation instead of escalating it. The case hinged on witness cellphone video footage, which jurors reviewed before delivering their verdict.
St. Croix County District Attorney Karl Anderson criticized Miu’s actions, stating that all Miu had to do was walk away from the confrontation. Prosecutors also raised questions about Miu initially lying to law enforcement about the events leading up to the stabbing. Despite Miu admitting to lying, he maintained that he was confused during the chaotic altercation. Miu’s defense attorney expressed disappointment in the verdict and stated that Miu was contemplating his future life following the conviction.
Isaac Schuman, the 17-year-old high school student who was fatally stabbed, was described as an honor roll student preparing to apply to several universities to study electrical engineering. His family was devastated by his untimely death, and they mourned the loss of a promising young man with a bright future ahead. Miu’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled, leaving uncertainty about the consequences he will face for his actions on that fateful day on the Apple River.
The case of Nicolae Miu and the tragic events that unfolded on the Apple River serve as a reminder of the consequences of violence and the importance of conflict resolution. The conflicting accounts of what transpired that day highlight the complexities of human interactions and the challenges of determining responsibility in such situations. As the legal proceedings continue, the families of both the victims and the defendant grapple with the aftermath of a senseless act of violence that irreversibly changed their lives. The community mourns the loss of a promising young student while grappling with the aftermath of a violent incident that has left scars on all those involved.
