Man Charged with Murder in Birthday Shooting of Dakota County Woman, 26

A man has been charged with the murder of a 26-year-old woman in Dakota County, Minnesota. The incident occurred on Christmas Eve, which coincidentally marked the victim’s birthday. According to the criminal complaint, deputies from the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting incident at approximately 2:23 p.m. at a residence in Castle Rock Township.

Incident Details

Upon arrival, deputies found the male suspect on the second floor of the home. He had blood on his hands and on the back of his head. The woman was discovered lying in her bedroom, where she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Evidence Collected

Investigators located a handgun and two spent shell casings within the residence. One casing was discovered near the bed, while the other was positioned underneath the victim. The suspect reportedly told deputies that the firearm was in “the room” before he was taken to the hospital.

Family Insight

The woman’s mother provided key insights to the deputies. She stated that the couple resided on the second floor and had two children together. The victim’s brother, who also lives at the residence, noted they had been together for six to seven years but were not married.

Witness Accounts

• The woman’s mother reported that one of the children had run downstairs, claiming to be scared after hearing a noise.
• The child indicated that they had “banged on the wall twice.”
• Upon going upstairs, the mother encountered the suspect, who claimed, “I’ve been shot. She shot me, call 911,” and later admitted, “I shot her.”

Context of the Incident

The mother then entered the daughter’s bedroom, where she found her covered in blood, seemingly in a defensive position. The suspect allegedly informed the woman’s brother that he shot himself and accused the victim of infidelity.

Legal Proceedings

The man faces a charge of second-degree intentional murder. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison. For those affected by domestic violence, assistance is available through the National Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-800-799-SAFE or Minnesota Day One at 1-866-223-1111.