St. Francis, Wis. — Kiana Pliska sought legal protection on July 16, claiming her ex-partner had been stalking her for months. Just hours later, during a custody exchange, Pliska was shot, leading to her death and the arrest of Randall Alexander Lenyard Sr., her former partner. The incident has sparked a closer look at the troubling history of alleged stalking and violence that preceded this tragic event.
Lenyard, 33, now faces charges in Milwaukee County for first-degree intentional homicide and stalking in the death of 32-year-old Pliska. Court records outline a series of ominous behaviors that prosecutors allege were part of a continued pattern of intimidation. Notably, Pliska had filed her second request for a temporary restraining order on the very day she was killed. While the order was ultimately granted posthumously, the allegations remain untested in court.
Documentation reveals that Pliska’s concerns started several months earlier. In a petition for a restraining order, she recounted discovering an AirTag tracking device affixed to her vehicle at the beginning of the year. Following that incident, she reported seeing Lenyard at various places in her life, including her home and workplace, as he attempted to obtain information about her whereabouts. These claims were instrumental in the stalking charge against him, highlighting a clear history of distress that Pliska had conveyed prior to her demise.
Further details shed light on the intensity of the situation. In February, Pliska reported a confrontation where Lenyard allegedly threatened her and assaulted her physically. Police subsequently arrested Lenyard, but little information is available about the resolution of that incident, leaving uncertainties regarding any potential consequences he faced. Despite these alarming encounters, it appears that Lenyard continued his behavior.
In April, Pliska made her first attempt to gain legal protection that year. Although a temporary order was issued, the matter was dismissed when she failed to attend the scheduled hearing, leading to unanswered questions regarding her absence. Lenyard’s sister reportedly expressed concerns that he was not respecting Pliska’s boundaries, indicating a familial awareness of the escalating situation.
As the situation grew increasingly tense in July, Pliska detailed new incidents in which Lenyard allegedly damaged property at her residence while their child was present. In an alarming episode, the couple’s 6-year-old son reportedly called 911. Immediately after those events, Pliska returned to court to file another protection petition, expressing fear over Lenyard’s unpredictable behavior.
Their custody exchange later that day ended in violence. Witnesses described a chaotic scene outside an apartment complex where Pliska was shot multiple times. First responders found her critically injured, and she died shortly after at a hospital. Eyewitness accounts indicated that Lenyard fired multiple shots before fleeing the scene in a vehicle with the couple’s child.
In the aftermath, Lenyard reportedly confided to his sister about the shooting, indicating that he was also considering harming himself and the child. His sister urgently contacted authorities to ensure the boy was safe, and despite the turmoil, she managed to secure his release from Lenyard without police intervention. Fortunately, the child was unharmed.
Law enforcement arrested Lenyard about two hours after the shooting. Investigators quickly categorized the incident as domestic violence-related. Lenyard’s subsequent statements to police, in which he acknowledged the argument and admitted firing at Pliska, are central to the prosecution’s case.
During the initial court proceedings, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Anderson emphasized the history of escalating threats and violent behavior leading up to the incident. The court commissioner set a cash bond at $250,000 and imposed a no-contact order for Lenyard, noting the serious allegations without presuming guilt.
Pliska’s case has brought attention to the broader issue of domestic violence and the dangers faced by individuals seeking protection. As the situation continues to unfold, Lenyard remains presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the judicial process will determine the outcome of the homicide and stalking charges that have cast a shadow over this community.