In the early morning hours of May 14, 2023, a Mother's Day outing turned tragic at The Original Bar & Nightclub in Minot, North Dakota, ending the life of 32-year-old Greyson Sletto, a male from the nearby community of Willow City. Sletto, a fifth-generation farmer and a devoted father to three young sons, was in town for a birthday party and had decided to go to the bar afterward.
His life was cut short following a fatal encounter with another patron inside the busy establishment.
An argument broke out between Sletto and Travis Everett McDermott, a 40-year-old Minot resident. Security cameras captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing the two men exchanging words at a table where McDermott was seated with his girlfriend. According to investigators, McDermott told them that Sletto had threatened to fight him. The situation escalated when Sletto pushed McDermott to the ground. While on the floor, McDermott drew a handgun and fired twice, striking Sletto in the torso. Patrons at the bar immediately subdued McDermott and rendered aid to Sletto until police arrived. Sletto was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after.
Travis McDermott was taken into custody by the Minot Police Department at the scene. He was subsequently charged with manslaughter and reckless endangerment. During the trial, prosecutors argued that McDermott's actions were an unreasonable escalation of the conflict. The defense maintained that McDermott acted in self-defense, claiming he feared for his life. However, investigators stated that the surveillance footage did not support McDermott's claim that Sletto had reached for his weapon. Jurors were shown the graphic video of the shooting during the trial.
In January 2024, a jury found Travis McDermott guilty on both counts of manslaughter and reckless endangerment. During the sentencing hearing in May 2024, emotional testimony was given by Sletto's mother and girlfriend, who spoke of the profound loss and devastation his death caused his family and friends. McDermott also gave a tearful statement. The judge sentenced McDermott to seven years in prison. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the Sletto family for funeral and other costs incurred due to his actions.
