In the quiet city of Rochester, Minnesota, the life of 63-year-old Jeffrey Wayne Milbrandt, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, was tragically cut short on the snowy evening of January 25, 2026. What began as a planned conversation between a father and his son spiraled into a devastating act of violence that left a family and community in shock.
Jeffrey was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head in the parking lot of a children's thrift store on Marion Road SE after police received an emergency call around 9:35 p.m. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to his injuries that same night.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing a loud argument just before the fatal shot was fired. One person recounted hearing someone plead, "please, don't shoot," followed by a single gunshot. Another witness saw an individual in a hoodie fleeing the scene in a pickup truck. The events of that night, however, did not end in the parking lot. A short time later, police were dispatched to a home invasion in progress approximately two and a half miles away, a crime that would soon be linked to Jeffrey's death and lead investigators to their prime suspect.
The suspect was identified as Jeffrey's own son, 35-year-old Michael Joseph Milbrandt. According to reports, Michael had been struggling with illicit drug use, a battle that had caused significant turmoil in his life. His wife had recently asked him to leave their home due to his erratic and paranoid behavior, leading him to stay at a local Airbnb. On the night of the murder, Jeffrey had arranged to meet with his son in an attempt to help him.
Following the shooting of his father, Michael allegedly drove to the home of a friend. He broke into the residence and was found by police wrestling with the homeowner. During the struggle, Michael is accused of firing his pistol twice at the man. Officers arrived to the sounds of screaming and were able to apprehend Michael in the basement of the home. The friend later told police that he had been in contact with Jeffrey about getting help for Michael's escalating drug problem.
Michael Joseph Milbrandt was arrested and has since been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his father, Jeffrey Wayne Milbrandt. He also faces charges of first-degree burglary and two counts of attempted first-degree murder for the subsequent home invasion and shooting. He is currently being held in the Olmsted County Jail on a $1 million bail. The community now waits for the legal process to unfold, grappling with the profound loss of a man remembered for his big heart and a laugh that could fill a room.
