WAUSAU, WI – A man from Wausau is facing multiple charges after authorities say he shot and killed his housemate, then tried to stage the scene to look like a suicide following a heated argument about a woman earlier this month.

Dustin Stinson, 35, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, illegal possession of a firearm due to a previous felony, and tampering with a court-ordered GPS tracking device. The victim, 31-year-old Jacob Socha, shared the home with Stinson on Lazy Creek Way, about 150 miles north of Madison. On Wednesday, Stinson pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Investigators allege that the deadly encounter unfolded on September 14. Stinson told officials he and Socha were at home together, sharing a meal, when the conversation turned to a woman known to both men. During the discussion, tensions reportedly escalated as Stinson warned that he would harm “some people” if she was not safe.

Court documents indicate that Stinson retrieved a handgun belonging to Socha during the emotionally fraught exchange. According to statements attributed to the defendant, the conversation became particularly intense—their foreheads touched, Socha professed that he loved Stinson, and tried to reassure him that the woman was okay.

The moment turned tragic when, by Stinson’s account, Socha’s body suddenly slumped to the floor. Stinson claimed he then raised the firearm to Socha’s head; Socha grabbed at the barrel, causing the gun to discharge, according to details in the complaint.

After the fatal shot, authorities say Stinson placed the gun in Socha’s hand in an effort to make the shooting appear self-inflicted. He then left the residence and forcibly removed an ankle monitor he had been ordered to wear by the court. Shortly after, Stinson called a woman and allegedly admitted to killing Socha. That woman notified police, who arrived at the home at approximately 5:35 p.m. to find Socha lying unresponsive on the floor, a gun in his hand, and a bullet wound to his temple.

Socha was pronounced dead five days later, on September 19. Officials have not clarified whether the woman Stinson contacted was the subject of the earlier argument.

Authorities located Stinson about a mile from the crime scene shortly thereafter. When confronted, he initially gave officers a false name but later admitted he had lied due to fear. After his arrest, Stinson reportedly used his phone call from jail to contact the same woman he had spoken with previously, despite instructions not to do so.

During booking, a corrections officer reported that Stinson confessed to shooting his “best friend in the head last night,” allegedly repeating the statement and miming a gun to his own head. Stinson also told investigators he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the shooting.

An obituary described Socha as someone who brought joy to those around him, highlighting his compassionate nature and sense of humor. He was engaged to be married at the time of his death.

Stinson remains in custody with bond set at $1 million. He faces the prospect of life imprisonment if convicted, with another court appearance scheduled for next week.