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Man Charged With Trying To Murder Ex-Wife At Her Workplace

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- "You have any last words?"

That is what police say a man asked his ex-wife moments before shooting her at workplace in North St. Paul.

Prosecutors charged John Steurer Wednesday with attempted murder.

John Bruce Steurer
John Bruce Steurer (credit: Anoka Co. Sheriff's Office)

Police say he chased her around a machine shop before shooting her in the arm. She escaped when his shotgun jammed.

Officers later caught up to Steurer in a Coon Rapids park, where he shot himself in the head. He is in a local hospital recovering.

The victim suffered a collapsed lung and a small intestine injury.

Police say Steurer called his ex-wife after the shooting and left this voicemail: "I'm sorry I had to do that to you. I can't have you being with another guy, so that's what I had to do."

The couple had divorced earlier this month after being married for 23 years. Steurer faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

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