Charges: Man murders friend while drunk in Hopkins apartment

HOPKINS, Minn. (FOX 9) - A 62-year-old man was charged with murder Monday for allegedly killing his longtime friend while the two were hanging out in Hopkins, Minnesota Friday night. 

According to the charges, at 10:33 p.m., police officers with the Hopkins Police Department were dispatched to an apartment building on 7th Avenue after someone called 911 to report an unknown man, now identified as Daniel Johnson, had knocked on their door while holding a bloody knife with blood on his hands.

According to the caller, Johnson made several incoherent statements, curled up in the fetal position on the floor and dropped the knife at his feet. When officers arrived, he was still lying on the floor of the hallway and appeared to be intoxicated. A large butcher’s knife covered in blood was lying at his feet. 

Johnson reportedly slurred his words and made several incoherent statements to police about “spirits and ghosts” and “helping them kill someone.” He was arrested. 

Test results revealed Johnson had a blood alcohol content of .18. He also said he consumed “pot gummies.” 

Officers found the victim dead inside his apartment. He had deep lacerations across the front of his throat, several stab wounds to his torso and “significant” facial trauma. The victim’s identity has not been released. 

Johnson’s son told police his dad left home around 4:40 p.m. to hang out with the victim. He said his dad has been depressed lately because this is the time of year his wife and other son died. 

Other witnesses told police Johnson and the victim would routinely get together to drink and consume marijuana. They said there were no known issues between the two. 

The Hopkins Police Department is expected to release more information at a press conference on Monday afternoon.