A Minneapolis man is facing second-degree murder charges stemming from a homicide investigation in Deer River earlier this month.
According to the complaint warrant, 33-year-old Nigel Blackburn is currently at Prairie St. John’s in Fargo and will be taken into Itasca County custody pending his release.
The complaint alleges that the victim, J.C.K., was shot on Friday, June 9.
Law enforcement received a report that there may be a dead body in a Deer River home four days later.
The complaint largely involves the account of an involved witness, Allison Mandich.
Mandich stated that Blackburn shot and killed her friend in Itasca County and afterward, she drove Blackburn to a grey townhome in Monticello.
Mandich, the victim, and Blackburn were all acquainted, with Mandich claiming both men had a romantic interest in her.
Blackburn’s wife informed officers that her husband was having a mental health episode and was transported to a mental health facility on June 10.
The post-mortem medical examination showed that the victim was shot five to six times with three entry and exit paths in the torso, one entrance in the right forearm, and two entrance and exit paths in the head.
Blackburn’s first court appearance was over Zoom this week, with a second hearing expected July 12.
