Crime

Rittenhouse Juror Dismissed After Joke About Blake Shooting

(Mark Hertzberg /Pool Photo via AP) KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — A juror in Kyle Rittenhouse’s murder trial was dismissed Thursday after a court security officer reported that the man told a joke about the police shooting of Jacob Blake, which set off protests in the Wisconsin city where Rittenhouse is accused of shooting three people. Kenosha County Circuit Judge Bruce…

One Arrested in Cass County Drug Investigation

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – A Pine River man was arrested Saturday in connection to an ongoing drug investigation in Cass County. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, investigators, along with the Minnesota State Patrol, made a traffic stop on a vehicle Saturday in the Motley area. The driver, a 44-year-old Pine River man, was detained. Authorities say a search…

Judge: No Release for GOP Donor Accused of Sex Trafficking

(courtesy: Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS – A federal judge says a prominent Minnesota GOP donor charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking must remain in jail as he prepares his defense. U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz cited “very troubling” testimony that Anton Lazzaro threatened law enforcement and prosecutors after he was arrested. Lazzaro allegedly told Minneapolis police officer, Brandon Brugger, he…

Duluth Man Sentenced to 32 Years in Prison for Murder of St. Cloud Professor in June

On October 1, officials said Jason Beckman plead guilty and admitted the intentional homicide.

ST. CLOUD, Minn.- Authorities have sentenced a 45-year-old Duluth man to more than 32 years in prison, for the murder of Ed Ward, a longtime St. Cloud Professor with ties in Duluth, this past June. According to the Stearns County Attorney’s Office, Jason Beckman of Duluth was sentenced to 386 months in prison Friday for intentional murder in the second…

Judge Says Man Unfit for Trial, Cites Energy Drink Testimony

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge said a Minnesota man accused of killing three family members with a wrench is mentally incompetent to stand trial, citing testimony from doctors about his schizophrenia intensified by his consumption of energy drinks. David Ekers, 36, was charged with three counts of second-degree murder in last year’s attack in a Minneapolis suburb that killed his…

Stiffest Charge Stands for Ex-cop Who Killed Daunte Wright

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota judge has denied a defense request to dismiss the most serious charge against a former suburban Minneapolis police officer who said she meant to use a Taser instead of a handgun when she fatally shot Black motorist Daunte Wright. Former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter will stand trial in Hennepin County on first- and second-degree…

Minnesota on Track for Most Traffic Deaths Since 2007 If Driving Doesn’t Improve, Officials Say

There have been 401 traffic-related fatalities since Jan. 1, the earliest the state's reached 400 since 2007.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota Department of Safety reporting a scary milestone on Minnesota highways — 401 deaths as of Monday. They’re calling for drivers to shape up, as this year is on track to be the deadliest on the state’s roads in 14 years. “There are some people who are afraid to go out and use that roadway because of…

St. Louis County Atty. Will Conduct ‘Careful Review’ Of Proctor H.S. Football Investigation

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Attorney’s released its first statement Monday involving the recent criminal investigation involving some members of the Proctor High School football program. County Attorney Kimberly Maki said her office has received the Proctor Police Department’s reports on the investigation and “will conduct a thorough and careful review of the evidence before making any charging…

Minneapolis Officer Charged in Pursuit That Killed Motorist

(courtesy: Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A prosecutor says a Minneapolis police officer has been charged with manslaughter and vehicular homicide in a fatal crash in July that occurred while the officer was pursuing a stolen vehicle. Officer Brian Cummings was driving nearly 80 mph in Minneapolis with his siren and lights activated when his squad car slammed into a…

House Votes To Hold Trump Ally Steve Bannon in Contempt

WASHINGTON (AP) – The House voted Thursday to hold Steve Bannon, a longtime ally and aide to former President Donald Trump, in contempt of Congress after he defied a subpoena from the committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. Now the U.S. attorney’s office must decide whether to prosecute. The congressional committee has vowed to move swiftly and forcefully to…

UPDATE: Ex-Minneapolis Cop Gets 57 Months in Killing of 911 Caller

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A former Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot an unarmed woman after she called 911 to report a possible rape behind her home has been sentenced to 57 months in prison, which was the maximum term possible under the state’s sentencing guidelines. Mohamed Noor was initially convicted of third-degree murder and manslaughter in the 2017 death of…

FBI: Items Linked to Brian Laundrie Found in Florida Park

(The Moab Police Department via AP) ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – The FBI and a family attorney say items believed to belong to Brian Laundrie have been found in a Florida wilderness park as the search continues for clues in the slaying of Gabby Petito. Attorney Steven Bertolino says Laundrie’s parents took part in the search Wednesday with the FBI…

MN DOC Searching for Missing Man on Intensive Supervised Release

Authorities are asking for the public's help locating Daryl Brian Quagon who has ties to Sawyer County

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Corrections is searching for a Minnesota man recently released from prison on Intensive Supervised Release who is now missing. According to a recent news release, 56-year-old Daryl Brian Quagon left his home in Pine City without permission and removed his GPS monitoring bracelet in the area of Stone Lake, Wisconsin. He has…

Several Sled Dogs ‘Severely Injured’ in Itasca County Hit-and-Run Incident

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – Authorities say several sled dogs were struck and severely injured Saturday night while training on a trail in Itasca County. According to the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call around 7:10 p.m. of a vehicle driving on the Circle T Snowmobile Trail near Button Box Road. The vehicle had struck several sled dogs…

Proctor Police Chief: County Atty. To Receive Football ‘Misconduct’ Investigation This Week

PROCTOR, Minn. – Proctor’s police chief told FOX 21 on Monday that his investigators worked on police reports over the weekend to wrap up their investigation into criminal misconduct allegations involving some members of the high school’s football team. Chief Kent Gaidis expects to hand over his department’s reports this week to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office for possible…

Identities Released In Double-Murder Suicide In Culver Township

CULVER TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The names of those involved in a double-murder suicide in Culver Township early Saturday morning were released Sunday evening by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect is identified as Cody Pirila, 31, of Brookston. The victims are identified as Skylar Hunter, 31, of Brookston, and his father, Jamie Hunter, 51, of Moose Lake. Pirila…

Some Capitol Riot Defendants Forgo Lawyers

At least five people charged in the riot at the U.S. Capitol have chosen to defend themselves in court. In doing so, they’re brushing aside federal judges’ repeated warnings about the risks of trying to navigate their high-stakes cases without a lawyer. Self-representation is a bedrock right guaranteed by the Constitution, but it’s also inspired the age-old adage that anyone…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office: Suspect Confesses to Double Homicide in Culver Twp., Shoots Himself After Chase

During the pursuit, officials said the lone male driver was determined to be the homicide suspect. He called 911 and confessed to the murders during the chase.

CULVER TWP, Minn.- Authorities with the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a double homicide, to which the suspect confessed to during a pursuit before shooting himself in the vehicle. According to officials, St. Louis County 911 received a call from a father around 1:00 a.m. Saturday to check on his adult son in rural Culver Township, north of…

Tonight At 9: Now-Former Proctor Football Coach Speaks Out Amid Criminal Investigation Into Some Players

PROCTOR, Minn. – In his first sit-down TV interview, former Proctor football coach Derek Parendo speaks out to FOX 21 Sports Director Sam Ali about what led him to resign his position amid the ongoing criminal misconduct investigation involving players of the Rails football team.  The video above is a preview from the 5:30 p.m. newscast.  See the full story…

Minnesota Clinic Shooting Brings Premeditated Murder Charge

BUFFALO, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota man accused of killing a staff member at a medical clinic and wounding four others during a February shooting is now facing an upgraded murder charge. A grand jury indicted Gregory Ulrich with one count of first-degree premeditated murder. He’s also charged with four counts of first-degree attempted murder in the shooting at the…

Duluth Man Arrested for Alleged Possession of Child Pornography

DULUTH, Minn. – A 43-year-old Duluth man was arrested Friday afternoon for the alleged possession of child pornography. According to the Duluth Police Department, Investigators from the Lake Superior Forensic Technology and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested the man around 2:45 p.m. Friday as the result of an ongoing investigation that began in April 2020. Authorities say police…

Woman found fatally shot in Crow Wing County cabin

BRAINERD, Minn. (AP) – Sheriff’s officials say a woman was found fatally shot in a cabin in Crow Wing County after deputies responded to a call about gunfire and arrested an armed man. Dispatchers received a shooting complaint about 11 p.m. Thursday. The caller said several gunshots were heard in Lake Edward Township. Law enforcement officers responded and encountered a…

Minnesota Court Denies Chauvin’s Request for Public Defender

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday denied former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin’s request to have a public defender represent him as he appeals his murder conviction and sentence in the death of George Floyd. The state’s high court said Chauvin has not established that he is entitled to a public defender. The justices made that decision…

Student Taken Into Custody Hours After Texas School Shooting

(Arlington Police Department via AP) ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Police in Texas have arrested a student suspected of opening fire during a fight at his Dallas-area high school, leaving four people injured. Police say 18-year-old Timothy George Simpkins fled from Timberview High School in Arlington and drove away in a 2018 silver Dodge Charger after the Wednesday morning shooting. Simpkins…

West Duluth Standoff Suspect Facing 21 Charges in Day-Long Crime Spree in Duluth, Superior

The 21 charges he faces include third-degree burglary, first-degree aggravated robbery, fleeing police, and reckless discharge of a firearm.

DULUTH/SUPERIOR- A wild day Friday in the Northland, as police charged Cody Lee Walker-Nelson, 30 with 21 counts in a day-long crime spree leading to a six-hour standoff. According to court documents, the 30-year-old started the string of crimes Friday morning, allegedly burglarizing a house on the 3800 Block of Karky Road in Superior, and stealing 12 firearms. Later that…

Mohamed Noor To Be Resentenced Oct. 21

(Renee Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The former Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot a woman who called 911 to report a possible rape behind her home is being resentenced this month after the Minnesota Supreme Court threw out his murder conviction. Mohamed Noor was initially convicted of murder and manslaughter in the 2017 death of Justine…

Judge Refuses To Toss Weapons Charge Against Rittenhouse

(Antioch Police Department via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A judge has declined to dismiss a weapons charge against an Illinois man accused of shooting three people during a protest against police brutality in Wisconsin last year. Prosecutors charged Kyle Rittenhouse with homicide and other crimes, including being a minor in possession of a firearm, after he killed two men…

Duluth Man Facing 21 Charges Following Friday Standoff With Police

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man involved in a 6-hour standoff with police Friday evening after allegedly attempting to rob a bank at gunpoint in Superior, in addition to multiple other crimes, is now facing 21 criminal charges. According to the criminal complaint, Cody Lee Walker-Nelson, 30, began his hours-long crime spree around 7:45 a.m. Friday morning when he’s accused…

Former Teacher Gets Probation for Sexually Assaulting Teen

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) — A former central Minnesota middle school teacher and coach has been sentenced to probation for sexually assaulting a female high school student. Thirty-two-year Daniel Fragodt, of Melrose, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Stearns County District Court. He was sentenced Friday to five years of probation. According to a criminal complaint, the victim…

3 From Lindstrom, Minnesota Arrested in Jan. 6 Us Capitol Riot

LINDSTROM, Minn. (FOX 9) – The FBI in Minneapolis said agents have arrested three more Minnesotans on charges related to the Jan. 6 riot at the United States Capitol. Isaac Westbury, Robert Westbury, and Aaron James, all from Lindstrom, were arrested Monday morning. A total of eight Minnesotans have now been arrested for their roles in the Jan. 6 riot,…

Police Investigate Gun Threat At Duluth Car Lot; Friday’s Standoff Suspect Possibly Linked

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating a threatening gun incident that could be connected to the suspect in Friday’s standoff. There was a report Friday around 12:30 p.m. of a person who displayed a gun at a car lot, New Duluth Auto, in Gary-New Duluth, according to Mattie Hjelseth, public information officer for the Duluth Police Department. Hjelseth said…

Police: Duluth Standoff Suspect Also Accused of Attempted Armed Robbery in Superior

The 30-year-old man allegedly stole a vehicle, drove the wrong way on the Bong Bridge, and attempted to rob a bank at gun point in Superior.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Police Department released the timeline of crimes, including attempting to rob a bank at gunpoint in Superior, allegedly perpetrated by the suspect, Cody Lee Walker Nelson, 30, of Duluth, who was arrested Friday evening after a 7-hour standoff with the Duluth Police Department. According to a spokesperson with Superior Police, at about 12:43 p.m. Friday…

Duluth Police: Standoff Suspect Surrenders After Attempted Bank Robbery, Car Theft, Vehicle Pursuit

According to authorities, there were no injuries reported during the call.

DULUTH, Minn.- The 30-year-old male suspect who kept Duluth Police in a standoff for hours in an apartment building on Central Avenue was finally taken into custody after committing multiple crimes, according to authorities. Police say at 8:30 p.m. the man eventually surrendered and was apprehended. He was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries and then the St….

Duluth Police in Standoff With “Armed and Dangerous Individual” in West Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Multiple law enforcement agencies are in a standoff in West Duluth with an “armed and dangerous individual.” Officials say the Hermantown Police Department, Saint Louis County Sheriffs Department, Superior Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and DPD’s Tactical Response Team are on scene at an apartment building on Central Avenue where the suspect is believed to be inside….

Duluth Police Respond to Individual Showing “Complete Disregard to Human Safety”

UPDATE: DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Duluth Police Department Facebook page, officers are currently on scene at an apartment building in the area of Central Avenue and Grand Avenue where they have reported an “armed individual” is believed to be inside. Police are trying to speak to the individual and bring him safely into custody. The public is asked…

MN BCA Provides Update in Duluth Officer-Involved Shooting

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota BCA has identified the deputy involved in the Tuesday morning in the Morgan Park neighborhood. The MN BCA says Deputy Jason Kuhnly discharged his firearm on September 28 injuring 29-year-old Jesse Ferrari. Kuhnly has been with the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office for eight years and is on standard administrative leave. No weapons were recovered…

Charges Filed in Duluth Officer-Involved Shooting Incident, BCA Investigating

DULUTH, Minn. – Formal charges have been filed against the Duluth man who was shot and injured Tuesday in an officer-involved shooting incident in Morgan Park. Jesse Logan Ferrari, 29, has been charged with felony fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and driving after revocation. According to the criminal complaint, a deputy was patrolling near Commonwealth Avenue in…

Duluth Man Injured in Officer Involved Shooting in Morgan Park

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities say a Duluth man was injured in an officer-involved shooting Tuesday morning in the Morgan Park neighborhood. According to the MN BCA, St. Louis County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of suspicious activity in Morgan Park around 1:40 a.m. Deputies responding to the scene attempted to stop an ATV with two male passengers that were driving…

Ex-Juvenile Court Judge Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charges

MADISON, Wis. – A former juvenile court judge in Wisconsin has pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of distributing child pornography. Brett Blomme, a one-time Milwaukee County children’s court judge, faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five years in prison on each count. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 22. The state Department of Justice began investigating the 39-year-old…

No Update Provided From Proctor School Board On Misconduct Allegations Regarding Football Team

Superintendent John Engelking confirmed that Derek Parendo is still employed as head coach of the football team, but did not comment on if anyone on the team has been expelled from school.

PROCTOR, Minn. – Monday night, the Proctor School Board met for the first time since allegations of student misconduct were brought forward against members of the Rails football team. And if you were hoping for an update on the situation, you didn’t get one. Less than a dozen people attended Monday night’s meeting, which did not include in the agenda…

Family Remembers St. Paul Man Found Dismembered in Lake Superior, Advocates for Other Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

On Sunday, family and friends of Ricky Balsimo and community members gathered to honor him with cultural performances and a healing walk on the Lakewalk.

DULUTH, Minn.- A murdered indigenous man from St. Paul whose body was found dismembered in Lake Superior over the summer was remembered at a rally and walk in Canal Park Sunday, as organizers also hoped to bring attention to the cases of other missing and murdered indigenous people. “The main purpose for today is to show Ricky’s spirit that we…

Police: Shooting at Tennessee Store Kills One, Injures 12; Shooter Dead

COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A shooting at a Tennessee grocery store east of Memphis left one person dead and injured 12 others Thursday afternoon, and the shooter was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane said the shooting broke out at a Kroger store in that suburban community about 30 miles east…

Four Men Charged Following Human Trafficking Operation in St. Louis County

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – Four men have been formally charged following their arrests last week during a human trafficking operation in St. Louis County. According to the Minnesota BCA, the one-day operation in partnership with the Tribes United Against Sex Trafficking (TRUST) Task Force and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, targeted people attempting to buy a minor for…

Charges: Man “Snapped,” Killed 4, Then Left Bodies in Field

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – An Arizona man who allegedly told his father he “snapped and shot a couple of people” was charged Tuesday with murder, about a week after four bodies were found in an abandoned SUV in western Wisconsin. Antoine Suggs, 38, of Scottsdale, Arizona, faces four counts of second-degree intentional murder, without premeditation. Suggs is jailed in…