KELLOGG, MN – A Minnesota man accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend was taken into custody after attempting to evade authorities by climbing a tree in a wooded area, according to police.
Craig Hameister, 44, of rural Minnesota, faces two counts of second-degree murder and one count of manslaughter in connection with the death of 36-year-old Melissa Hunt. Authorities say Hunt succumbed to injuries after she fled to a nearby residence for help, setting off a search that ended approximately 40 miles away in an hours-long standoff.
The incident began when officers responded to a call from a Kellogg homeowner who found Hunt in their driveway with severe wounds to her face and jaw. Hunt was alive long enough to identify her attacker as Hameister, stating he had struck her at a boat launch and providing police with a description of his vehicle and residence.
Paramedics transported Hunt to a hospital, where she later died of her injuries. An autopsy revealed gunshot residue in the facial wounds, contradicting the initial account that she had been struck with a stick. Investigators discovered an unspent round at the boat launch, further supporting evidence of a shooting.
Shortly after, authorities tracked Hameister’s white pickup truck to a property in Chatfield, about 40 miles to the south. Upon their arrival, deputies found the vehicle door open and spotted a 9 mm round on the floor. Homeowners at the location told police Hameister had arrived in a state of panic, reportedly saying, “something bad happened,” and that law enforcement would be coming for him.
During the search, another resident informed police her 9 mm handgun was missing after Hameister left her home on a motorcycle. This prompted local and county law enforcement to intensify their efforts to locate the suspect.
A search of nearby woods ended when officers discovered Hameister perched in a tree, resulting in a tense, hours-long standoff before negotiators persuaded him to come down. Officers later found a 9 mm handgun near the area where he had attempted to hide.
Hameister was taken into custody without further incident and booked into the Wabasha County Jail. He is being held on a $2 million bond as of Wednesday.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the fatal shooting. No further details regarding Hameister’s upcoming court appearances have been released.