Michael Scott Brasel, a 44-year-old resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, tragically lost his life on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Brasel, a respected hockey coach and father of two, was fatally shot outside his home in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood while attempting to stop a car theft in progress.
The incident occurred when Brasel confronted two teenagers, Kle Swee and Ta Mla, who were stealing items from vehicles parked in front of his home.
As Brasel tried to intervene, he was shot multiple times. His wife reported hearing three gunshots and rushed outside to find her husband wounded in the front yard.
Following the shooting, both teenagers involved in the incident were apprehended and charged. Kle Swee, who was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, pleaded guilty to murder charges. On October 4, 2023, Judge JaPaul Harris sentenced Swee to 25.5 years in prison, with a minimum incarceration of 17 years, followed by supervised probation. The second teenager, Ta Mla, who was 18 at the time, pleaded guilty on November 3, 2023, to aiding and abetting second-degree murder in relation to Brasel's death.
Brasel's death deeply impacted his family and community. During Swee's sentencing, 12 family members, including Brasel's children, offered impact statements, sharing stories about Brasel and describing his importance in their lives. His widow, Hilary Brasel, described him as a respected, honest, and hardworking man, emphasizing the profound loss felt by their family.
Michael Brasel is survived by his wife Hilary and their children. He was preceded in death by his mother Nancy. In honor of Brasel's memory and his contributions to the community, an endowment has been established in his name.
