Suspect In Gas Station Killing Charged With Murder
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The main suspect in the murder of a Minneapolis executive has been formally charged with murder -- and he's still on the run.
Lyle "Ty" Hoffman, 44, was charged in a Ramsey County District Court Friday afternoon with second-degree intentional murder.
Hoffman is accused of killing 48-year-old Kelly Phillips, his former boyfriend and business partner.
Phillips was an executive at Boston Scientific in Arden Hills, and once co-owned the bar Lush with Hoffman.
He was killed Monday afternoon at an Arden Hills gas station. Witnesses say Phillips get out of his car and was followed by his passenger. The suspect then shot Phillips three times, got back in the car, drove over the victim and fled the scene.
On Tuesday afternoon, multiple law enforcement agencies surrounded two hangers at the Anoka County Airport after receiving a tip that Hoffman was there, but he was not found.
A $1 million warrant has been issued for Hoffman, and it's executable nationwide. There is a $1,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest.
Details of the criminal complaint will remain sealed until Hoffman is in custody.
On Friday, Ramsey County Undersheriff Joe Paget said that they think someone may be in contact with Hoffman. He said that person could also be charged in the case with a felony -- and could face up to 20 years in prison.
