Probable cause found against pair in Hougom shooting - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - A judge finds probable cause that two men accused in the fatal shooting of a La Crosse woman committed the crime.

Testimony in the case against Kong Vue and Pao Choua Vue detailed the afternoon of the shooting of Sara Hougom and a drive by shooting at a home on Island St. 

"Kong Vue and Pao Choua Vue ended up in the Indian Hill area," said Sgt. Jeff Jansky, of the La Crosse Police Department.

"Kong indicated to us his uncle Pao Choua Vue then pulled out a handgun and fired several rounds at a residence," Jansky testified.

Jansky added that Kong Vue told police he was carrying a gun to intimidate people and steal some money because he didn't have a job.

Jansky stated that Kong Vue was able to describe Sara Hougom's apartment on Division Street.  Once inside, Jansky says Kong told officers he saw Sara lying on a couch in the apartment.  Kong stated he panicked and fired two rounds from the gun.

Officer Dan Ulrich, of the La Crosse Police Department, said he found the door to Hougom's apartment 3/4 open when he responded.

"Upon entering the residence, I observed a white female subject lying on the couch," Ulrich said. "I approached her and saw she was pale. I then felt for a pulse and didn't feel one. I listened for breath and did not hear any." 

"I pulled Sara down onto the floor to better facilitate CPR," Ulrich said.

He later testified that Hougom was shot twice -- once in the chest and once in the shoulder blade. She was able to call for help, allowing the La Crosse Police to track her phone call and dispatch Ulrich to her apartment, but later died of her wounds at Mayo Clinic Health System.

Both men remain in the La Crosse County Jail on $1 Million cash bonds.