MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 41-year-old man faces second-degree murder charges after getting into a fight on Wednesday.
According to the criminal complaint filed by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, 47-year-old Robert Hilgren got into a fight with Michael Merten after the latter apparently tried to fight Hilgren’s son at a party on Rice Street in Little Canada.
The complaint says that Hilgren told Merten, “That’s my son. You want to beat up on a 23-year-old kid? It’s his birthday. You want a piece of me?”
Merten allegedly pushed Hilgren into the path of a moving car. Hilgren’s wife, who was also there, said the act was intentional.
Hilgren was transported to Regions Hospital, where he died of his injuries.
Merten left the scene but was later arrested at his home. The charges state that Merten passed field sobriety tests.
Merten is currently being held on $250,000 bond.
