Crime and Courts

Former Olympian Indicted on Attempted Murder Charges in Shooting

Michael Barisone was a member of the 2008 Olympic team and a coach of a 2016 Olympian

What to Know

  • Michael Barisone faces attempted murder and weapons charges in the two-count indictment
  • Authorities said the Aug. 7 shooting culminated a lengthy feud between Barisone and a couple who had been living and training horses at his farm
  • Barisone allegedly shot a woman twice in the chest and then tried to shoot her fiance, but missed

A former Olympic equestrian charged with shooting and wounding a woman at his training center was indicted on two counts of attempted murder.

Michael Barisone also faces a weapons count in the indictment, which was made public Wednesday, handed up by a Morris County grand jury.

Authorities have said the Aug. 7 shooting culminated a lengthy dispute involving Barisone and a couple who had been living and training horses at Barisone's farm in western New Jersey, where he trains horses and riders. Barisone has claimed the couple violated a verbal agreement to leave once they were finished with the training, and police had been called several times to the home in the 10 days leading up to the shooting.

Barisone allegedly shot 39-year-old Lauren Kanarek twice in the chest and then tried to shoot her fiance, Robert Goodwin, but missed. Authorities say Goodwin then tackled Barisone to the ground, disarmed him and held him until Washington Township police arrived.

Kanarek was placed in a medically induced coma and underwent extensive surgery to repair damage to her left lung.

A judge ruled in August that Barisone should remain jailed without bail pending his trial.

Barisone is an accomplished dressage rider. He was a member of the 2008 Olympic team and a coach of a 2016 Olympian.

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