10/20/2026
SUSPECT CHARGED IN SEPTEMBER SHOOTING
Incident Type: Attempted Homicide
Incident Date: 9/3/2026
Release Date: 10/19/2026
Incident Number: FP26-16332
On September 3rd, 2026, the Fitchburg Police Department responded to the 1400 block of Post Rd. where they located a 21-year-old male with a life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital and survived his injuries.
Investigators identified a suspect in the shooting and on September 8th, 2026, determined that he lived in the 1600 block of Fordem Ave. With direct assistance from the Madison Police Department’s SWAT Team, and special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, Fi****ms and Explosives, a search warrant was executed at the residence.
The shooting suspect, Michael Worthey, 25, of Madison, was arrested and taken to the Dane County Jail for a Probation Violation. During a search of the residence, multiple fi****ms and fi***rm accessories were seized. Worthey is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing fi****ms.
Investigators discovered that in the hours prior to the shooting, Worthey was involved in an altercation with another male at an apartment in the 2900 block of Fish Hatchery Road. During that altercation, Worthey pointed a fi***rm at the other male, who then left the area.
Worthey remained in the vicinity of the Fish Hatchery Road apartment complex and waited for the other male to return. As the victim drove through the parking lot, Worthey intentionally fired into the victim’s vehicle. Investigators believe that Worthey shot the victim mistakenly believing the other male was driving the vehicle.
The investigation confirmed that the 21-year-old victim was not involved in the earlier altercation and had no association with either Worthey or the other male.
On October 19th, 2026, Worthey was formally charged with Attempted 1st Degree Intentional Homicide, 2nd Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, and Felon in Possession of a Fi***rm.
This case was aided greatly by local community members and area businesses who provided witness statements and camera footage from the time of the incident.
This investigation is still active, and additional charges may be forthcoming. No additional details are available at this time.
