FRAZEE, Minn. – The suspect in a fatal shooting in Frazee Saturday is claiming self-defense.
Becker County deputies responded to the shooting around 1:20 a.m.
The victim, 31-year-old Arlan Bergstrom of Detroit Lakes, died at the scene. The suspect, 31-year-old Willis McDonald, called police a half-hour later to report he had shot Bergstrom in self-defense.
McDonald was arrested at his Otter Tail County home about an hour later.
McDonald told police that while he was visiting a woman he had met days before in his car, Bergstrom broke his window and began punching him. McDonald reached into the back of his vehicle for his handgun and shot Bergstrom as he continued to punch him.
McDonald admitted he did not try to leave the vehicle, his permit was expired, and he had four beers earlier that day. He went home and then called himself in.
The woman’s description of events closely matched McDonald’s. She confirmed the two men did not know each other and had never met.
Bergstrom’s death was ruled a homicide.
McDonald faces charges of second-degree murder without intent and first-degree manslaughter.
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