by Castle Rock Township, Minnesota — A 26-year-old woman was fatally shot inside her home on Christmas Eve, which court documents say was also her birthday, leading prosecutors to charge a man with second-degree intentional murder in a case that has shaken the Dakota County community.
According to a criminal complaint filed Monday, deputies with the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a home in Castle Rock Township at approximately 2:23 p.m. after a report of a shooting. When deputies arrived, they found a chaotic and tragic scene unfolding inside the residence.
What deputies found at the scene
Court records state deputies located the accused man on the second floor of the home with blood on his hands and the back of his head. Inside a nearby bedroom, officers found the 26-year-old woman lying on her bed, unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later recovered a handgun inside the residence along with two spent shell casings. One casing was found near the bed where the woman was discovered, while the other was located underneath her body, according to the complaint.
Before being transported to a hospital for treatment, the man reportedly told deputies that the gun was “in the room.”
Family members inside the home
The woman’s mother told investigators that the man and her daughter shared a room on the second floor of the home and had two children together, court documents said. Although the couple had been together for six to seven years, they were not married, according to the woman’s brother, who also lived in the residence.
The presence of family members and children in the home at the time of the shooting has added another layer of trauma to the case.
Children reportedly heard disturbance
According to the criminal complaint, one of the children ran downstairs and told family members they were scared after hearing something upstairs. When asked what they heard, the child reportedly banged on the wall twice to demonstrate the noise.
Concerned, the woman’s mother went upstairs, where she encountered the man.
Conflicting statements reported
Court documents say the man initially told family members, “I’ve been shot. She shot me, call 911.” Moments later, he allegedly made a different statement, telling them, “I shot her.”
The woman’s mother then entered her daughter’s bedroom and found her covered in blood on the bed, with her hands raised in front of her face, which investigators described as a posture suggesting she was trying to protect herself.
The woman’s brother, who was downstairs at the time, said his mother ran to him asking for help. When he went upstairs, he saw the man standing in the hallway.
Read Also: NC Girl, 13, Shot and Killed Days Before Christmas; Three Teens Charged With Murder
Alleged motive mentioned in complaint
Investigators later learned that the man told the woman’s brother that he shot himself and claimed he had caught the woman cheating, according to court documents. Authorities have not publicly said whether that claim has been corroborated.
The complaint outlines multiple statements made by the accused in the immediate aftermath, which prosecutors say will be central to the case.
Charges and potential sentence
The man has been charged with one count of second-degree intentional murder. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in prison under Minnesota law.
Prosecutors have not indicated whether additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues. The case remains under review as authorities examine forensic evidence, witness statements, and medical findings.
Community impact and next steps
The killing has left a family grieving and a community grappling with the loss of a young woman whose life ended on what should have been a day of celebration. The involvement of children and close family members has further underscored the emotional weight of the case.
Authorities have not released the name of the accused or the victim pending further court proceedings and notifications.
Court records indicate the man is expected to make his first appearance in Dakota County court, where bail conditions and future hearings will be addressed.
As the legal process unfolds, residents across Dakota County are left asking how such a tragedy could occur inside a family home — and what justice will look like for those left behind.
What are your thoughts on this case, and how communities can better address domestic violence and family safety? Share your perspective in the comments and join the discussion.
