The Apple River stabbing became one of the most talked-about criminal cases in Wisconsin after a tubing trip ended in violence on July 30, 2022. The incident happened on the Apple River near Somerset, where dozens of people were enjoying a summer afternoon. What began as a verbal confrontation quickly turned into a deadly stabbing that left one teenager dead and four others injured.
The man at the center of the case, Nicolae Miu, claimed he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors argued that he used unnecessary deadly force after having opportunities to leave the confrontation. After a closely watched trial, a jury rejected his self-defense argument and found him guilty on multiple charges.
Who is Nicolae Miu?
Nicolae Miu was a 54-year-old mechanical engineer from Prior Lake, Minnesota. On the day of the incident, he was floating the Apple River with family and friends. During the trip, he separated from his group to search for a friend’s lost cell phone using snorkeling gear.
While looking for the phone, Miu approached a group of young tubers. Witnesses said the encounter quickly became tense after members of the group questioned why he was near them. Video recordings later presented during the trial showed the argument escalating within minutes.
What Happened on the Apple River?
According to investigators and courtroom evidence, Miu approached several teenagers and young adults while searching for the missing phone. Members of the group accused him of acting suspiciously, and an argument followed. As more people gathered, shouting, pushing, and physical contact occurred.
During the confrontation, Miu pulled out a knife and stabbed five people. Seventeen-year-old Isaac Schuman suffered fatal injuries. Four other victims, ranging in age from 17 to 24, survived after receiving medical treatment.
The entire confrontation lasted only a short time but was captured from multiple cellphone videos. Those recordings became some of the most important evidence during the trial.
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The Trial
The trial began in April 2024 in St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Prosecutors argued that although Miu faced an aggressive crowd, he had several chances to walk away instead of using deadly force.
Miu testified that he feared for his life and believed he was acting in self-defense. His attorneys argued that he was surrounded, pushed, punched, and overwhelmed by a much larger group.
After hearing testimony from witnesses, investigators, medical experts, and reviewing multiple videos, the jury rejected the self-defense claim.
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Nicolae Miu Sentence
On July 31, 2024, Judge R. Michael Waterman sentenced Nicolae Miu to 20 years in prison for first-degree reckless homicide in the death of Isaac Schuman. The judge also imposed concurrent sentences on the remaining convictions, meaning they will be served at the same time rather than one after another.
In addition to the prison term, Miu received six years of extended supervision after his release. He was also credited for the time he had already spent in custody before sentencing.
Convictions
- First-degree reckless homicide for the death of Isaac Schuman.
- Four counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety.
- One count of battery.
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Timeline of the Apple River Stabbing
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 30, 2022 | Nicolae Miu went tubing on the Apple River and became separated from his group while searching for a lost phone. |
| July 30, 2022 | A confrontation with a group of young tubers escalated into a stabbing that killed Isaac Schuman and injured four others. |
| 2022 | Miu was arrested and charged with homicide and multiple related offenses. |
| April 2024 | The Apple River stabbing trial began in Wisconsin. |
| April 11, 2024 | The jury found Miu guilty of reckless homicide, reckless endangerment, and battery. |
| July 31, 2024 | Miu was sentenced to 20 years in prison with six years of extended supervision. |
Main Facts About the Case
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident | Apple River stabbing |
| Date | July 30, 2022 |
| Location | Apple River, Somerset, Wisconsin |
| Defendant | Nicolae Miu |
| Victim Killed | Isaac Schuman (17) |
| People Injured | Four |
| Main Defense | Self-defense |
| Verdict | Guilty |
| Sentence | 20 years in prison plus six years of extended supervision |
On July 30, 2022, a confrontation between Nicolae Miu and a group of young people tubing on the Apple River turned violent. Miu stabbed five people, killing 17-year-old Isaac Schuman and injuring four others.
The incident occurred on the Apple River near Somerset, Wisconsin, a popular destination for summer tubing.
In addition to Isaac Schuman, four other people were stabbed and survived after receiving medical treatment.