$1M bond set for suspect accused of holding victim at gunpoint at Waukesha Meijer store
Updated: Aug. 18, 2026
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Waukesha man accused of taking a man hostage inside a grocery store made his first court appearance Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Twenty-one-year-old Anthony Lehman's cash bond was set at $1 million Tuesday for allegedly causing the chaotic situation inside the Meijer on Sunset Drive in Waukesha on July 30.
Anthony Lehman
"His alleged conduct placed completely random individuals who were going about their ordinary, daily lives, in serious danger," said Kevin Galezewski, the assistant district attorney.
According to the criminal complaint, Lehman was in the men's bathroom at the store when a shopper entered and Lehman declared he was holding the man hostage, armed with a knife and razor blades affixed to a spring clamp tool.
The shopper, a 59-year-old man, told investigators Lehman ordered him to sit down, which he did. He alleges Lehman then took out glue and told him to glue his hands to the floor, which he did not do.
While in the bathroom with the man, Lehman called 911 on himself, requesting to speak to a hostage negotiator.
He asked dispatchers to send hypnotists to the scene, saying that if officers came in, things would "go south."
When Lehman left the bathroom, the complaint says, the man he held hostage chased him through the store with a belt.
During that time, Lehman allegedly threatened an employee and two other customers with his weapons.
When police arrived, a Waukesha police officer saw Lehman holding a knife to the hostage victim.
The officer shot at Lehman, hitting him three times in the arm and abdomen, and also unintentionally shooting off part of the victim's thumb.
Both Lehman and the 59-year-old man were taken to the hospital.
Police on Monday, Aug. 17, said the victim has since been released from the hospital. His condition is unclear.
Anthony Lehman
At Lehman's initial court appearance Tuesday, state prosecutors requested $1 million bail, citing a need to protect the victims, the many witnesses, and the community.
Waukesha County Court Commissioner Daniel Rieck agreed.
"You went to a busy store, at a busy time of day, and for no reason whatsoever, terrorized everyone who was in that store," he said to Lehman. "You went in and caused utter chaos. You caused bloodshed. I'm sure you caused an immeasurable amount of psychological damage."
Lehman sat with his head far back on the chair for much of Tuesday's hearing. He appeared to try to speak to the commissioner several times, but was unsuccessful, except for one moment when Lehman seemingly suggested he may have had a motive.
"You just did it for the hell of it, and that's what scares me. That's what really scares me," Rieck said.
"I didn't do it for the hell of it," Lehman responded.
Prosecutors suggest Lehman did not have a specific plan or target. According to the complaint, a police officer overheard Lehman tell hospital staff he held the man hostage for "leverage," but did not elaborate.
Lehman's preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 28.
He's has been charged with the following:
- First-degree reckless injury, use of a dangerous weapon
- False imprisonment, use of a dangerous weapon
- Second-degree recklessly endangering safety, use of dangerous weapon (three counts)
- Terrorist threats, use of a dangerous weapon
Published: Aug. 17, 2026
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Waukesha police have released the name of the suspect shot and wounded by officers during an armed hostage situation inside a Meijer store.
Twenty-one-year-old Anthony Lehman is expected to face multiple charges including first degree reckless injury and false imprisonment.
Police say on July 30, Lehman used a knife and another razor-edged weapon to take a 59-year-old man hostage in the store.
Eventually, officers shot and injured Lehman.
The hostage was also hurt, though the injury was not life-threatening.
Formal charges have not yet been filed.
The incident remains under investigation.