LAS VEGAS — A rural New Ulm man was reported in guarded condition this morning after a Las Vegas vacation of five New Ulm area couples ended in tragedy.

Harold Wiltscheck, 55, of New Ulm was in the intensive care unit at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound in the face following a shooting Sunday during an apparent robbery attempt at his Las Vegas motel room.

He and his wife had been in Las Vegas with four other New Ulm area couples on a vacation.

THE INCIDENT occurred at about 2:20 a.m. Sunday when Wiltscheck, his wife, Mrs. and Mrs. Charles Holm and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Braulick, all of rural New Ulm, and Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Franta of rural Lafayette were in Wiltscheck’s room at the Westward Ho Motel.

Calvin Cullpepper, 28, of Texas entered the room, police said, brandishing a 22 caliber handgun, ordered the couples to the floor and demanded their wallets and money.

At this point, according to Las Vegas police, Wiltscheck tried to wrestle the gun from the assailant. In the struggle, the gun apparently went off, the bullet striking Wiltscheck in the chin, passing through his voice box and lodging in his throat.

Another shot went off, police reported, but went astray.

Others in the room then grabbed Cullpepper, “hit him over the head with a couple of bottles” and subdued him, holding him until the authorities arrived, police said.

THE ASSAILANT apparently picked Wiltscheck’s room because the door was open and he could see in, reports indicated. No other robberies were attempted at the motel, which is located in the middle of the Vegas strip in what was called a “fabulous, nice area.”

Another person, Alice Weathers,19, of Las Vegas, described as Cullpepper’s girl friend, was also arrested. She was arrested in the motel parking lot while sitting in a car with its motor running. Police said a change of clothing and cards identifying Cullpepper were found in the auto.

Both were booked into Clark County Jail on eight counts of attempted robbery, eight counts of use of a deadly weapon and one count of attempted murder.

Cullpepper was also charged with one count of an ex-felon in possession of a firearm.

New Ulm Daily Journal

March 9, 1976