Wisconsin – In a distressing case of domestic violence in Wisconsin that culminated in a tragic death, a 53-year-old man, identified as R. Fuller, has pleaded guilty to the second-degree reckless homicide of the 42-year-old mother of his three children, identified as L. Timmons. The incident has left the community and Timmons’ family, including her 8 children, grappling with the senseless violence.
On April 1, 2024, a ShotSpotter detection system alerted police to gunshots during a seemingly quiet morning. Upon arrival, officers discovered Timmons with a fatal gunshot wound. Surveillance and witness accounts pieced together the harrowing moments leading to her death. Timmons, who was returning home after dropping her children off at school, encountered Fuller, an encounter that tragically ended with Fuller shooting her as she pleaded for her life.
Surveillance footage from nearby captured Fuller’s movement, showing him approaching Timmons with a noticeable limp—a detail that would later be crucial in identifying him. Witnesses, including one of Timmons’ sons, identified Fuller, known to them for years, as the assailant. The son recounted waking to gunshots and finding his mother grievously wounded outside their home.
During police interrogation, Fuller, who was initially charged with first-degree reckless homicide, admitted to the shooting. In a chilling confession, he claimed that evil forces compelled him to commit the act. He stated that his intent wasn’t to kill but rather to wound Timmons amidst a contentious child custody battle over their three children. This dispute, according to Fuller, drove him to an unthinkable act of violence that he later regretted. The investigation revealed that Fuller had located Timmons by coercing another of her children to disclose her new address. Timmons, remembered by her family as a devoted mother of eight, had been trying to protect herself and her children from Fuller’s abusive behavior. According to reports, Fuller had a restraining order on him for physically abusing Timmons.
In the wake of her murder, the victim’s daughter described the relentless fear and danger posed by Fuller, who had somehow found ways to locate and harass Timmons. She also launched a GoFundMe to support the family. “Our mother didn’t have any insurance, and we were not prepared as her children to bury our mother. We are reaching out to the community for assistance. Whatever you can do to help our family during this time would be a huge blessing. Not only do we have to bury our mother, but now my eldest brother and I have to take care of our siblings and keep our family together. Thank you in advance for whatever you can help us out with,” the fundraiser reads in part.
Fuller reached an agreement with prosecutors and pleaded guilty earlier this week to a second-degree reckless homicide charge with the use of a dangerous weapon enhancer. He will face the consequences of his actions later this year, on June 25, when the sentencing is scheduled. The plea deal, while bringing some measure of justice to the bereaved family, also spares them the ordeal of a trial. It highlights the complexities of domestic violence cases where the perpetrator is someone close to the victim, often complicating the victim’s ability to seek help and protection.
As the community mourns Timmons, her family continues to advocate for victims of domestic violence, hoping that her tragic death will bring about change and prevent similar incidents in the future. The case stands as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of addressing it with urgency and seriousness.
