John Everette Lutgen-Bernatz, a 27-year-old Caucasian male, was found deceased on July 23, 2024, in a North Mankato, Minnesota, apartment. His death, later ruled a homicide by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office, was the result of multiple gunshot wounds. The incident marked the first homicide investigation in North Mankato for the year.
Authorities were dispatched to the Village Court Apartments after receiving a call for assistance from a woman.
Upon arrival, they discovered Lutgen-Bernatz's body and arrested 41-year-old Dominic Scott Ellen at the scene. The woman who called for help was Lutgen-Bernatz's girlfriend, who reported that a dispute over money had preceded the fatal shooting. She told investigators that Ellen had been waiting for them when they returned to the apartment and allegedly told Lutgen-Bernatz he was "going to have to die" before shooting him.
Following his arrest, Dominic Scott Ellen was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, threats of violence, and possession of a firearm without a serial number. In a plea deal, Ellen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder without intent, and the other charges were dropped. He was subsequently sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison and supervised release.
Family and friends remembered John, also known as "Jack," as a kind-hearted and generous person with an infectious smile and a contagious laugh. He was known for his love of fishing, music, poetry, and cooking. During the sentencing, Lutgen-Bernatz's family described him as a vulnerable individual who had faced challenges but always sought to see the good in others. His mother expressed the profound anguish of her loss, stating that the inability to protect her son had "shattered my soul." His fiancée spoke of the nightmares that have haunted her since his death and the difficulty of explaining his absence to their daughter.
