HOPKINS, Minn. — A 20-year-old man faces second-degree murder charges following a tragic incident that resulted in the death of his girlfriend over the weekend. The shooting occurred in their apartment late Saturday night, prompting emergency responders to rush to the scene after the man called 911.
Authorities reported that Krystofer Brooks allegedly shot his girlfriend in the head while mishandling a firearm. Upon arriving at the apartment, officers found Brooks at a kitchen table, visibly distraught and with blood on his hands. According to his statements, he aimed his handgun at her while she was sitting on the bed, mistakenly believing the weapon was unloaded.
Investigators revealed that Brooks had taken a THC gummy before going to bed. He later claimed to have reacted to what he believed were sounds of gunfire outside his residence. In a panic, he reportedly loaded a magazine into his handgun without chambering a round.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Brooks described a chilling awareness that his girlfriend was critically injured. He suggested to police that he thought she was deceased based on the severity of her wound. Paramedics attempted to save her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
During his arrest and transport, Brooks made several unsolicited comments to officers, including inquiries about jail conditions and whether it was common to feel numb after such a traumatic event.
Currently, Brooks is held at the Hennepin County Jail with a bond set at $500,000. He is facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter, with a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday.
The investigation remains active, with authorities reviewing all details surrounding the incident. No information regarding the victim’s identity or the nature of the couple’s relationship has been disclosed at this time.