What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
On Halloween morning 2025, law enforcement arrived at a modest home in Wisconsin Rapids to find Randall Harris Sr. dead in his basement from gunshot and machete wounds. His son, Randall Harris Jr., was arrested nearby without incident.
What followed was a complex legal battle that would grip the Wood County community for months. Harris Jr. claimed self-defense, pointing to years of family violence and a confrontation that turned deadly.
The jury ultimately agreed, acquitting him of first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree recklessly endangering safety charges after a trial that saw multiple dramatic twists.
Harris Jr.’s testimony painted a picture of escalating tension on October 30-31. He told the court he’d noticed his father using drugs again after a period of sobriety that had improved their relationship.
The day started normally enough — a trip to Dairy Queen, helping his cousin get to a job interview, picking up a Halloween costume for his daughter. But by evening, Harris Jr. said he watched his uncle deliver drugs to his father in the basement.
When Harris Jr. confronted his father about no longer needing rides from him, the situation exploded. According to his testimony, Harris Sr. grabbed a machete and swung it at him. A fight ensued over both the blade and a gun that clicked but didn’t fire when pointed at Harris Jr.’s chest.
“I was terrified for my life,” Harris Jr. told the court, describing the moment his father pulled the trigger at point-blank range.
Harris Jr. said he struck his father with the machete during their struggle. Shots were fired during the fight for the gun. His uncle got involved, leading to a chaotic confrontation that moved from the basement through the kitchen and living room.
The defense built its case around a history of family violence that Harris Jr. said defined his upbringing. He described his father and uncle as men known for knife fights with each other and violence toward partners.
In 2020, Harris Jr. had lived in the home as an adult with a friend. That arrangement ended when his father threatened his life, forcing him to move out.
Key factors the defense highlighted:
Wisconsin law allows deadly force when someone reasonably believes they face imminent death or great bodily harm. The jury found that standard met in this case.
The case took an unusual turn early in the proceedings. After the trial began on February 2, 2026, it ended in a mistrial just two days later due to a Brady violation — the prosecution’s failure to share exculpatory evidence with the defense.
This wasn’t a minor procedural issue. Brady violations strike at the heart of due process, named after a U.S. Supreme Court case requiring prosecutors to disclose evidence that might help the defendant.
The trial restarted one week later with a new jury. Prosecutors rested their case on February 13, and the defense presented witnesses including Harris Jr. himself on day six.
After closing arguments around February 18-19, the jury deliberated briefly before returning not guilty verdicts on all charges. If convicted, Harris Jr. would have faced life imprisonment.
The acquittal sparked divided reactions in Wisconsin Rapids, a Northwoods community of about 17,000 people where everyone seems to know everyone.
Some saw validation for domestic abuse victims forced to defend themselves. Others questioned how a confrontation could escalate to such deadly violence.
Wood County reports over 1,200 domestic incident calls annually, straining local law enforcement in a region already stretched thin by budget constraints and rural geography. This case underscores the challenges small-town judicial systems face when handling complex family violence cases.
The economic pressures don’t help. Wisconsin Rapids has struggled since major mill closures, with unemployment hovering around 8.5% as of 2025. Domestic violence correlates with economic hardship, according to Wisconsin Department of Justice data.
No family walks away unscathed from a case like this. Harris Sr. is gone. Harris Jr. was acquitted but will carry the weight of that Halloween night for the rest of his life.
The grandmother who called 911 that morning witnessed violence between family members she loved. The uncle testified multiple times, his own injuries documented by investigators.
For the broader Northwoods community, this case is a reminder that domestic violence doesn’t just happen in big cities. It unfolds in basements and living rooms across small towns where resources for intervention remain limited.
Local advocates hope the attention this trial received might spark conversations about supporting families before violence reaches a breaking point. In a region where neighbors look out for each other, recognizing the warning signs could make all the difference.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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