A Minnesota man, Nicolae Miu, was found guilty of first-degree reckless homicide and four other charges in the slaying of high school student Isaac Schuman and the stabbing of four others who were tubing on a western Wisconsin river. The incident occurred in late July 2022 on the Apple River in St. Croix County, resulting in the death of Schuman and injuries to two men from Luck, Wisconsin, a woman from Burnsville, Minnesota, and a man from Elk River, Minnesota. Miu claimed self-defense after being accused of approaching children in the water, but prosecutors argued that he had opportunities to diffuse the situation or walk away.
Evidence presented in court documents and witness accounts indicated that Miu, who was tubing down the river with his wife and others, was accused of bothering a group of juveniles in the water. Instead of leaving when asked, Miu punched a woman, leading to a fight where he ultimately stabbed a person. Miu claimed he was provoked and acting in self-defense, but the jury ultimately found him guilty, much to the surprise and disappointment of his defense attorney Aaron Nelson. Schuman, a promising student at Stillwater High School, was described by his family as an honor roll student preparing to study electrical engineering at university.
The tragic incident on the Apple River in Wisconsin has left a community grieving the loss of Isaac Schuman and questioning the events that led to his death. The guilty verdict against Nicolae Miu highlights the consequences of escalating conflicts and the importance of seeking peaceful resolutions. As the legal process continues and sentencing awaits, Miu’s actions have irrevocably changed the lives of multiple families, leaving them to grapple with the aftermath of a day on the river that turned into a nightmare. The impact of this senseless act of violence reverberates beyond the courtroom, serving as a reminder of the fragility of life and the need for understanding and compassion in moments of conflict.