Hopkins police recover axe in murder of neighbor with restraining order

HOPKINS, Minn. (KMSP) - Police in Hopkins, Minnesota have recovered an axe allegedly used in an overnight burglary and murder of a neighbor who held a restraining order against the suspect. Officers were called to a home on the 200 block of 10th Avenue North at 3:40 a.m. on a report of a burglary in progress. When they arrived, they found a 67-year-old man dead.

Police arrested the victim’s former next-door neighbor, a 24-year-old man, in connection with the murder. Police also revealed at a Friday afternoon press conference that the victim had filed a restraining order against the suspect in July due to an incident of harassment.

According to police, the suspect currently lives just one block from victim.

Police said the suspect used an axe to chop through the victim’s door. He then allegedly pulled the victim out of the house. The victim suffered “sharp force injuries” to his head, but police wouldn’t say with certainty that the axe was the murder weapon. The Hennepin County medical examiner will release the identity of the victim and the manner and cause of death.

Police said the victim’s wife, who was home at the time of the incident along with another roommate, called 911. By the time police arrived, the suspect was gone, but he was quickly located and arrested.

Criminal charges against the suspect are expected to be filed Monday.