Dane County Republicans denounce violence after Trump supporter shooting

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(The Center Square) – The Republican Party of Dane County is condemning political violence after a 31-year-old Madison woman was arrested and accused of shooting and killing her former co-worker in a downtown Madison parking garage.

The criminal complaint stated that 31-year-old Diamond Wallace, who is charged with first degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, worked with 61-year-old victim Christine Jones at a Madison hotel until April 2025.

After that, police believe that Wallace slashed Jones’ tires after accusing Jones of being racist because she supported President Donald Trump.

"Wallace had additionally previously accused CAJ of being racist and had expressed animosity towards CAJ for being a Trump supporter," the complaint said.

It was not clear what motivated the shooting.

“RPDC condemns this killing in the strongest possible terms,” the group said in a statement. “No grievance, no workplace conflict, no personal resentment ever excuses violence. Ever. Some will be tempted to turn this tragedy into a partisan argument or to deflect towards national political debates. We reject that impulse. It is about a woman in Dane County who lost her life. 

“We urge every Dane County resident, regardless of background or belief, to recommit to the most basic civic shared responsibility: treating one another as human beings worthy of dignity, safety, and respect for one another.”

Wallace’s cash bail was set at $2 million at a Wednesday hearing, when Wallace appeared via Zoom.

Wallace has a pretrial hearing set for 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Dane County Courthouse.

“As this case moves through the justice system, we call on community leaders, elected officials, and residents alike to reflect on how we can rebuild a culture of respect, accountability, and compassion,” the party said. “Dane County deserves better. Our neighbors deserve better. We must all do better. Be better humans. Choose decency. Reject violence.”

Wallace’s previous felony conviction was from a 2019 charge where Wallace pleaded guilty to resisting an officer with substantial bodily harm and soft tissue injury.

Wallace also reportedly had a restraining order previously from the manager of the hotel where the two worked. 

Wallace changed her name to Sainte La Rell Vargas in April of 2025, police were told by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, but the former co-workers referred to her as Wallace.