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St. Croix River Stabbing Suspect Charged With Homicide

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A teenager is facing murder charges in the stabbing death of a father of five.

The Polk County Sheriff's office says 19-year-old Levi Acre-Kendall, who turned himself in Thursday afternoon, is charged with first degree reckless homicide.

Peter Kelly, 34, of St. Croix Falls, Wis., was stabbed to death Tuesday after he and his fishing buddy got into an argument with another group on the Minnesota side of the St. Croix River.

According to the criminal complaint, the two groups began the confrontation on the river, which continued for some time. Eventually, Kelly and his companion decided to drive over to the Wisconsin Interstate Park to find the teens.

The two men found the three teens walking towards their car in the parking lot, where Kelly confronted them. After a heated argument ensued, Kelly's companion noticed one of the boys produce a small shiny object.

According to a police statement from Kelly's companion, Kelly ran back towards the car, bleeding, while the teens drove off. Two of the teens present for the incident, whom police also interviewed, said Kelly attempted to pull one of the boys out of their car when the stabbing took place. Kelly's companion didn't witness that part of the incident.

A report from the Anoka County Medical Examiner says Kelly died from a stab wound to the left side of his chest, with an associated injury involving the heart.

Kelly leaves behind a wife and four sons, and a daughter. He was also a well known wrestling coach in the community.

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