CULLMAN, Ala. – A Bremen man on April 20, 2026, was sentenced to 25 years in prison in connection with a Jan. 24, 2025, shooting.
According to court records, Richard Anthony Vitkauskas, 53, pleaded guilty to first-degree domestic violence – assault in connection with the crime. A charge of attempted murder was dismissed. Cullman County Circuit Court Judge Chad Floyd handed down the sentence.
Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker posted a statement about the sentencing, stating:
“Earlier this week, Circuit Judge Chad Floyd sentenced Richard Vitkauskas to 25 years in the state penitentiary for this January 24, 2025 shooting in Bremen.
“Vitkauskas didn’t want a fair fight – he shot an unarmed female who never knew what was coming.
“The credit belongs to the investigators of the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office for their swift response, for processing the primary scene where the shooting occurred and the secondary scene where our victim was found, and for tracking down this offender, who fled to Winston County where he was arrested, and taken into custody.
“I also want to thank our victim, who made a full recovery and assisted us with this prosecution.
“Domestic violence has no place in society, and we aren’t putting up with it in this county.”
Vitkauskas had been held without bond, pursuant to Aniah’s Law.
The crime
On Friday night, Jan. 24, 2025, Cullman County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of a shooting in the Bremen community. A female victim, who was shot multiple times, was transported to an area hospital. The suspect, later identified as Vitkauskas, fled the scene before deputies arrived.
The following morning, the CCSO announced that Vitkauskas had been located in Winston County and arrested. He was initially charged with aggravated assault and held without bond.
After conferring with Crocker, authorities charged Vitkauskas with first-degree domestic violence – assault, which is an Aniah’s Law offense. Under Aniah’s Law, judges can deny bond to those who are charged with committing violent crimes. Vitkauskas was to be held without bond until an Aniah’s Law hearing could be held.
Authorities said additional charges were likely as the investigation continued.
On Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, a local judge issued a “no bond” ruling, meaning Vitkauskas would stay in jail until at least his next hearing or his trial.
According to court documents at that time, Vitkauskas’ charges were first-degree domestic violence – assault and attempted murder.
Crocker said the testimony was that Vitkauskas shot the female victim nine times, broke her phone and fled the scene, which was the victim’s home.
“After hearing the evidence, Judge Wells R. Turner ordered the defendant will be held without bond in this case,” Crocker said.
In April 2025, Vitkauskas was indicted on both charges.
