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Community Mourns Shooting Death Of Popular Teacher

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The shooting death of a Twin Cities man is having an impact on several communities in the east metro.

David Frigaard, 46, was a popular teacher and business owner. He was shot and killed early Saturday morning not far from his bar in Willernie, near Mahtomedi.

Frigaard's bar has been closed since word of his death made its way through town, but that's not stopping those who knew him from showing up.

They've left flowers, candles and personalized notes at a growing memorial.

"I know he was a great guy for the community here," said Mike Henry of Willernie. "I know the younger crowd patronized his establishment here. He did a lot of work keeping it up to code...He was well liked. It's sad, really is sad. Life is too short sometimes and to have something like this happen in a small community like we are in...it broke a lot of hearts."

Police were first called to the area just after 3 a.m. Saturday following a report of a gunshot. Officers found Frigaard's body near the intersection of Highway 244 and 75th Street North.

By mid-afternoon, officers had arrested 19-year-old Bailey Jordan Garcia of Pine Springs. He was booked into Washington County Jail pending formal charges.

Frigaard's death is also having an impact on South Washington County Schools, the district where he has been a teacher for the last 16 years.

He's worked at several schools within the district, most recently teaching art at Park High in Cottage Grove.

Many of his students and co-workers have taken to social media, calling him an amazing teacher and inspiring educator. They also sent condolences to wife and children.

The shooting remains under investigation. More information is expected to be released on Monday.

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