In the quiet city of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, the life of 53-year-old Black / African American male, Craig Lamar Hortman, was tragically cut short on the night of January 17, 2023. Just before midnight, the sound of gunfire shattered the peace within an apartment building on the 300 block of 14th Avenue Southeast. When police officers arrived at the scene, they discovered Hortman suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
First responders immediately began life-saving measures, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the apartment.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, authorities believed that the suspect or suspects had fled the area, and no arrests were made at the scene. Investigators began the arduous task of piecing together the events that led to Hortman's death, suggesting that the shooting did not appear to be a random act. The St. Cloud Police Department, with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, urged the public to come forward with any information that might lead to an arrest, turning to both the police department and Tri-County Crime Stoppers for tips.
A significant break in the case came the very next day, though its connection to the homicide was not immediately clear. On January 18, 2023, following a separate report of gunshots in the 800 block of 34th Avenue North, a 15-year-old male was taken into custody. This juvenile was initially held on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm by someone under 18, and prohibited possession of a firearm due to prior felony qualifying convictions. As the investigation into Hortman's death continued, authorities linked the teenager to the fatal shooting. The unnamed juvenile is now facing charges of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Craig Lamar Hortman.
