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Brownsdale Man Charged With Murder In State Park Shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Authorities have charged a Brownsdale man with murder in a fatal shooting at a state park Tuesday night.

David Michael Easter, 26, is facing one charge of second degree murder.

Deputies from the Freeborn County Sheriff's office say they received a call of a shooting at Helmer Myre Big Island State Park at around 9:19 p.m. Tuesday. When law enforcement arrived, they found Easter, who called in the shooting, and took him into custody. He was with his wife and their infant daughter near the entrance to the park when they arrived.

David Easter
David Easter (credit: Freeborn County Sheriff's Office)

Easter reportedly told police he shot the victim in self defense, and that the victim was still in his car in the park. Deputies searched the park and found the victim in a 2001 Audi station wagon with two gunshot wounds to the head. All the doors were locked and windows rolled up when officers arrived.

Easter's wife told police he confronted the victim in the station wagon and that the two exchanged words, though she couldn't hear anything. She told police her husband usually carries a gun, and has a permit that is valid in Nebraska. Easter did not provide a statement to investigators.

Both Easter and his wife are members of the Minnesota National Guard. He's a Private First Class based in a battalion out of Thief River Falls, and she's a Sergeant based at headquarters in Faribault.

If convicted, Easter could face up to 40 years in prison.

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