A Minnesota resident faces charges of murder and attempted murder following a brutal incident where he allegedly killed his neighbor and severely injured the neighbor’s teenage son.
According to a criminal complaint, 31-year-old Jonathon Michael Kaupa fled from the third-floor apartments by descending from a balcony using a rope. He then booked a rideshare, reportedly explaining to the driver that the blood on his phone was merely “fish guts,” as reported by KSTP.
The rideshare driver noted Kaupa appeared “sweaty” and inadequately dressed for the cold weather, mentioning that Kaupa was headed to his parents’ residence in St. Paul. He also observed that Kaupa carried a bag containing blood-stained clothing and a rope.
Authorities discovered a 45-year-old maintenance worker from the Equinox Apartments and his teenage son with severe stab wounds early on Saturday morning. The father was declared dead at the scene, while the son sustained multiple stab injuries to his chest, neck, and head.
The victims were identified as a father-son pair by Law&Crime.
The teenage boy recognized Kaupa as their assailant, mentioning that Kaupa resided across the hall, as reported by KSTP. The boy recounted hearing power tools in the hallway early in the morning, prompting him and his father to ask Kaupa to cease. Instead, Kaupa reportedly attacked them with a sharp object resembling a screwdriver, the boy explained.
The boy was stabbed about 20 times, and his father pulled Kaupa off. The boy scrambled inside the apartment and called 911.
While police were investigating, Kaupa’s father arrived at the apartments and told police his son had arrived and borrowed his Mercedes Benz. He may have gone to the family cabin in Two Harbors, he said.
Later in the morning, St. Louis County deputies spotted the missing Benz in Duluth. Kaupa, driving the vehicle, fled a traffice stop but crashed and was arrested.
Kaupa is being held at the Ramsey County Jail on a $5 million bond. He is charged with murder and attempted murder.
