Colby grad killed in Eau Claire

By Brian Wilson The Star News

A 31-year-old Medford man is dead and his attacker faces life in prison following an incident at the Do-Dodge-Inn bar in Eau Claire on Dec. 14.

Alex Graff, 31, of Medford, was out with a friend at the bar when he was attacked by Anthony Jackson, 44, of Eau Claire.

Alex Graff, the son of Timothy Graff of Athens and Lori Totzke of Abbotsford, is a 2012 Colby High School graduate and worked as a service tech for EnergiTech in Appleton.

According to the Eau Claire Police Department, a 911 call came in just after 6 p.m. with a report of a stabbing at the bar. Eau Claire County sheriff’s deputies and Eau Claire police responded. Officers attempted life-saving measures on Graff but he died from his injuries.

According to video surveillance and witness statements from the Do-Dodge-Inn, the suspect approached Graff and his friend and stabbed Graff multiple times. Police say the attack appeared unprovoked and that Jackson also attempted to stab Graff’s friend.

Graff was transported to a local hospital where he died of his injuries. Jackson was apprehended on the scene.

According to police, Graff and Jackson were not previously acquainted.

Attorney Peter Rindal of the Eau Claire County District Attorney’s office has filed charges against Jackson for first-degree intentional homicide with a dangerous weapon, attempted first degree homicide with a dangerous weapon and two counts of felony bail jumping. If convicted, Jackson faces up to life in prison on the homicide charge, up to 60 years in prison for the attempted homicide and up to six years in prison for each of the bail jumping charges.

According to the criminal complaint, at approximately 6:10 p.m. on Dec. 14, officers were dispatched to the Do-Dodge-Inn, located at 1339 Menomonie St. in Eau Claire in reference to a reported fight.

As Officer Lucas Tisol approached the

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scene, he was advised that Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Deputy Wiliam Prudick was on scene and with a subject, Anthony Jackson, being held at gunpoint.

A folded knife was found in one of Jackson’s front pockets and seized as evidence.

Officers arriving on scene assisted the victim, who was laying on the sidewalk in front of the Do-Dodge-Inn parking lot with a large crowd of bystanders gathered around.

Officers attempted to render aid and stop Graff’s bleeding, observing what appeared to be a puncture wound on his upper left chest.

A chest seal was applied and Graff was rolled over, whereupon the officer observed a large, approximately 3-inch slice in the center of his back. Officers continued life-saving measures until it appeared Graff was no longer conscious or breathing, at which point CPR was administered.

Emergency medical personnel arrived and Graff was transported from the scene to Mayo Hospital.

According to the complaint, witnesses said they had been seated at a table in the pool and dart area of the bar and Jackson had been pacing around the back area of the bar, seemingly talking to himself and acting strange.

The group indicated that the suspect opened a large hunting-type knife and held it behind his back before he confronted the victim seemingly about a funny look Graff had given Jackson, from what the group could tell. The group said a very short verbal altercation followed, at the end of which Jackson plunged the knife into Graff.

According to the complaint, hospital staff told officers that Graff had likely suffered a stab wound to the heart and had suffered sustained blood loss.

On Tuesday, Jackson was in Eau Claire County Court for an initial hearing. The court ordered a $2 million cash bond on the murder charge and a $7,500 bond on the other charges. A preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 26.