(BECKER COUNTY, MINN) – A 31-year-old Frazee man is charged with a pair of felonies following a weekend incident in Becker County.
According to documents filed in Becker County District Court, authorities from Becker County were dispatched to the Acorn Lake Trailer Park near Frazee at approximately 1:20 a.m. Saturday morning on the report of shots being fired and of a male being shot.
An identified adult female called 9-1-1 and reported that the adult male victim was shot by a man identified as 31-year-old Willis Charles McDonald, of Frazee.
Upon arrival, officers learned McDonald had left the scene and was likely headed towards his house. A short time later, he called Otter Tail County 911 dispatchers and reported that he was at his residence in Otter Tail County. He was arrested at approximately 2 a.m. by troopers with the Minnesota State Patrol and was transported to the Becker County Jail.
In an interview by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Becker County Sheriff’s Office, McDonald stated the victim had appeared outside his vehicle while he was meeting with another man. McDonald said that the victim punched or broke out his window, and then punched him in the face, causing McDonald to fear for his safety and his life.
McDonald later reached for his handgun in the back seat of his vehicle, and the victim then reached for McDonald’s weapon. McDonald pulled the trigger twice, with the second shot causing the victim to stumble to the ground and fall.
The victim, who died, was transported for an autopsy, which revealed that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the chest. The medical examiner said the manner of death was homicide.
McDonald has been charged with second degree murder without intent while committing a felony and first-degree manslaughter, intentionally cause death in heat of passion. The murder charge carries a maximum of up to 40 years in prison, while the manslaughter charge carries a maximum of 15 years in prison, a $30,000 fine or both.
McDonald was issued bond with conditions and is due back in court on August 19 for an initial appearance at the Becker County District Court in Detroit Lakes, Minn.
