On May 9, 2015, in St. Michael, Minnesota, 27-year-old Blake Besser and his father, 49-year-old Elk River police officer Todd Besser, were tragically shot and killed in their home. The assailant was identified as Blake's younger brother, 21-year-old Christopher T. Besser. Authorities responded to a 911 call from Blake, who, despite his injuries, managed to inform dispatchers that his brother had shot him before succumbing to his wounds.
Investigations revealed that earlier that evening, Christopher had a confrontation with his father in the garage. Following this dispute, he retrieved a. 30-30 rifle from the home's gun cabinet. He proceeded to the basement, where he shot his father in the back of the head while Todd was seated at a computer. Christopher then went upstairs and awaited Blake's return. Upon Blake's entry into the kitchen, Christopher shot him in the abdomen. Blake's attempt to call 911 captured his final moments, during which he identified his brother as the shooter.
After the shootings, Christopher left the scene and drove to a gas station in Monticello. There, he called 911 to turn himself in, stating, 'I ended up killing my father and brother... I just lost it.' He expressed frustration with his father's expectations, which he felt were unreasonable. Christopher was arrested without incident and later charged with two counts of second-degree murder. Wright County Attorney Tom Kelly indicated plans to convene a grand jury to consider first-degree murder charges.
In December 2015, Christopher pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, thereby avoiding a jury trial. He admitted to the killings, stating he 'just lost it,' and acknowledged that he killed his brother to eliminate any witnesses. Sentencing was scheduled for February 5, 2016, with each count carrying a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison under Minnesota state law.
The tragic deaths of Todd and Blake Besser deeply affected the St. Michael and Elk River communities. Hundreds attended their funeral services held at Elk River High School, where family members and colleagues paid heartfelt tributes. A procession of law enforcement officers and community members accompanied the family to Orono Cemetery in Elk River for the burial services. The Elk River Police Department, where Todd had served for 16 years, mourned the loss of their colleague and his son, marking a somber chapter in the department's history.
