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Ramsey Man Charged In Fatal Coon Rapids Bar Shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Ramsey man has been charged in the fatal Coon Rapids bar shooting last Thursday, the Anoka County Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

On Monday, Chad Nicholas Nelson, 43, was charged in Anoka County District Court with second-degree intentional murder and second-degree murder by drive-by shooting in the July 2 shooting death of 29-year-old Rayontra Raydell McCall.

According to the criminal complaint, Coon Rapids police responded to Willy's Bar on Coon Rapids Boulevard in the early morning hours of July 2. Upon arrival, police found McCall with gunshot injuries to his hand and chest. He was taken to Mercy Hospital, but died a short time later.

Authorities say witnesses reported that Nelson and McCall were at a poker tournament at the bar when McCall's uncle believed Nelson was cheating. As the men left the bar, words were exchanged between the three men and Nelson got in his car. McCall went up to Nelson's car window and hit Nelson in the face. At around the exact same time, Nelson fired several shots at McCall, the complaint said.

RELATED: Nelson's Father: 'He Was Just Trying To Defend Himself'

Nelson then fled in his vehicle, but was arrested after seeking medical attention at a VA Hospital a few hours after the shooting, the complaint said.

"This was an angry incident that escalated to lethal violence," Anoka County Attorney Tony Palumbo said. "It is senseless that a life was lost because of a poker game."

Nelson's bail was set for $750,000 and his next court appearance is set for Aug. 3, 2015.

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