26-year-old woman died after her “really good friend” she got high with shot her dead just because a “hand motion” triggered her fear and she thought she was about to be stabbed; charges
Wisconsin – In a tragic and deeply unsettling case out of Wisconsin, a 32-year-old woman, identified as J. Mills, is facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide and use of a dangerous weapon in the fatal shooting of her 26-year-old friend, identified as A. Spillner, a pharmacy student. Prosecutors allege the killing occurred after the two smoked marijuana together in a neighborhood known for crime and drug activity. Mills, reportedly gripped by paranoia, believed Spillner might stab her — prompting her to retrieve a gun and fatally shoot her friend.
The incident unfolded on the night of November 4, at Mills’ residence. According to court documents, the two women were getting high when Spillner, who had scissors in hand to cut Mills’ dog’s hair, made a hand motion that Mills claimed triggered her fear. Acting on impulse, Mills went to her bedroom, got a firearm, returned, and shot Spillner once. When police and emergency responders arrived, they found Spillner unresponsive and Mills on the floor with a gunshot wound to her own abdomen. Mills told investigators she accidentally shot herself in the stomach after the initial shooting. Inside the home, officers recovered a handgun and two spent shell casings, both consistent with Mills’ later admission.
Initially, Mills was combative and uncooperative with police, telling officers she couldn’t remember anything between waking up and arriving at the hospital. But as questioning continued, she confirmed the two had smoked marijuana together and that she became paranoid, though she said Spillner never threatened her. According to reports, Mills and Spillner were really good friends. Investigators say toxicology reports are still pending, but elements at the scene — including the recovered weapon, casings, and Mills’ statements — support the charge.
The surrounding community, already familiar with crime in the area, has been rocked by the senseless loss. Spillner was described by her family as bright, compassionate, and driven. Her sister told reporters she was “the best person you could ask for,” with an “infectious laugh” and a heart for everyone she met. Spillner was nearing the final stages of her pharmacy degree and had a promising future ahead of her.
Mills was arrested and booked into the county jail, where she remains held on $150,000 cash bond. Her preliminary hearing is set for November 17. Authorities have not confirmed whether a plea deal is on the table, but Spillner’s family has publicly opposed any reduction in charges, insisting she deserves full justice. The case has stirred broader conversations across the state, particularly around marijuana use and its potential mental effects. Some lawmakers have pointed to the incident as evidence that marijuana-related paranoia can lead to unpredictable and violent behavior. Though the role of THC in this case remains unconfirmed, it has already become a flashpoint in the debate over drug policy reform in Wisconsin.
As the case moves forward, so do the questions. For the court, the task ahead will be to decide whether Mills’ actions, rooted in fear and possibly drug-induced paranoia, meet the threshold for first-degree reckless homicide. For Spillner’s loved ones, the challenge lies in facing a future without the woman they knew — a rising professional, a sister, and a friend — whose life was taken in a moment of fear that spiraled into irreversible tragedy.
