Complaint: Argument Over Lawn Mower Lead to Gun Death in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — An alleged argument over a broken lawn mower resulted in the shooting death of a Minneapolis man on Tuesday.

A man identified as Edward Frank Holzinger, 61, was charged with second-degree murder this week in the shooting death of his neighbor, according to a news release.

Upon arriving at the location, several people directed police officers to the victim, identified as Bruce Wayne Brown, who was lying on the sidewalk.

When police asked who was responsible, a witness pointed to Holzinger, who immediately put his hands in the air and cooperated with police who placed him under arrest.

Paramedics arrived to administer aid to Brown but were unsuccessful in attempts to revive him. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene. An Assistant Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed Brown suffered two gunshot wounds to his chest.

According to the criminal complaint, Brown and Holzinger were arguing for days over an incident that began with a lawnmower. The complaint states that Holzinger loaned Brown his lawn mower and alleged that Brown returned it to him broken.

At about 8:40 p.m. on Tuesday, a witness heard Brown sarcastically ask if Holzinger wanted a hamburger. Holzinger then allegedly told Brown to "come over and find out."

Family members say they told the Brown to ignore Holzinger, but instead he left his yard and walked toward Holzinger. A few seconds later, gunshots rang out.

While a witness was applying pressure to the Brown’s chest in an attempt to stop the bleeding, she said Holzinger came out of his home and said "He deserved it; He called me a pedophile; I know I’m going to jail and I don’t care."

Holzinger told police he was standing on the front steps of his house when Brown walked over. Holzinger said he shot Brown while he stood on the sidewalk, and then place his handgun on the recliner in his living room. Holzinger then waited for police to arrive.

Holzinger is expected to make his first appearance Friday. Prosecutors are asking for $1 million bail.

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