Background: The neighborhood in Hopkins, Minn., where Krystofer Brooks allegedly shot his girlfriend on Jan. 3 (Google Maps). Inset: Krystofer Brooks (Hennepin County Sheriff”s Office).
A Minnesota man is facing charges of second-degree murder following the alleged accidental shooting of his girlfriend in the head.
Krystofer Brooks, 20, has been detained at Hennepin County Jail, accused of both second-degree murder and manslaughter in the tragic incident involving his girlfriend. Court documents, as reported by Law&Crime, reveal that Brooks claimed he was checking to ensure his gun was “unloaded” when he inadvertently aimed it at his girlfriend, who was sitting up in bed, and pulled the trigger. The bullet struck her just above her eye.
Officers from the Hopkins Police Department responded to a 911 call made by Brooks, who reportedly told dispatchers that he had accidentally shot his girlfriend in the head while “clearing his firearm.” Upon arrival at the scene, officers found Brooks at the kitchen table, visibly distressed, with blood on his hands.
The probable cause statement details that Brooks had consumed a THC gummy prior to going to bed around 5 or 6 p.m. the previous evening. He later heard gunshots outside his apartment, prompting him to load a magazine into his firearm, although he claimed not to have chambered a round.
While at the police station, after being informed of his rights, Brooks stated that he believed he had removed the magazine from the gun but was uncertain. He admitted to not rendering any medical assistance to his girlfriend, as he believed she was already deceased due to the nature of her injury.
Despite efforts from first responders to save her, Brooks’ girlfriend was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said that while they took Brooks into custody, he made multiple “spontaneous statements,” including “if he could get a private room at the jail and if the beds are of quality.” He reportedly asked officers “if it was common for someone to feel empty after an incident like this and not have any emotion.”
Brooks is in custody at Hennepin County Jail, where he is being held on $500,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
