ST. FRANCIS, Wis — A man from Milwaukee faces two felony charges, including for murder and stalking, in the death of the mother of his child.
33-year-old Randall Lenyard Sr. is charged in the death of 32-year-old Kiana Pliska from Cudahy. She was found shot to death in the parking lot outside the Lake Park apartments in St. Francis.
According to the criminal complaint obtained by 620 WTMJ, Pliska filed for a restraining order against Lenyard the same day she was shot to death.
St. Francis Police responded on July 16, 2026, around 6:30 p.m. to multiple reports of shots fired near the Lake Park Apartments. Pliska was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot near a black Nissan Rogue with the engine running. She was taken to the hospital, where she died from her injuries in the operating room.
During the investigation, police spoke with Lenyard’s sister, who confirmed that the two had a custody arrangement for their son, and had agreed to meet that day to transfer him at their old apartment.
Lenyard admitted to his sister that he shot Pliska, telling her, “She saw me pull my gun out. She got out of the car and started to run so I shot her. She started screaming so I knew she was still alive, so I just kept on shooting her,” also telling his sister, “I’m about to do it to myself and my son.”
Lenyard eventually met his sister to hand over the child, and was arrested around 8:20 p.m. that same evening.
He later admitted to police that “we started to argue and I [pause] shot her [Pliska].” He also admitted he shot her as she was running away, and he then left with his son.
Lenyard made his initial appearance in court on July 22, where cash bond was set at $250,000. He’s due back in court for a preliminary hearing on July 29. If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Pliska’s family has set up a GoFundMe to help support the family. They are hosting a celebration of life on July 31, 2026.
