Next court appearance set for Feb. 9

By Robert Williams

Editor

Police Chief Tyler Trieglaff reported on the murder in Frazee in the early hours of Saturday morning from reporting to the incident with Officer Scott Luhman and joining the investigation with the Becker County and Otter Tail County Sheriff’s departments.

“We assisted and I learned a lot,” Trieglaff said. “We didn’t get out of there until 6 o’clock in the evening.
It was quite an experience for something like that. We’re still working on it this week and there are lots of things to tie up.”

Arthur Deshun Campbell, 19, has been charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of 19-year-old Bryson Andrew May of Frazee, according to the criminal complaint filed in Becker County District Court. 

A charge of second degree murder with intent, not premeditated has been filed against a 16-year-old minor from Detroit Lakes.

Deputies from the Becker County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at approximately 2:38 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 20, reporting shots fired at 701 W. Ash Avenue in Frazee. 

The 911 caller identified Campbell as one of the shooters. 

Upon arrival, deputies reported finding one, adult victim with a gunshot wound to the chest and one possibly to the head. The victim was transported to Essentia Health – St. Mary’s in Detroit Lakes for medical treatment prior to succumbing to his injuries.

He was then transported to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner where an autopsy confirmed the cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death to be homicide.

Campbell has since acknowledged to investigators that he shot his gun while targeting May’s legs, claiming he wanted to prevent the victim from pursuing them as they fled, the complaint states. Campbell claimed he was heavily intoxicated during the incident, but recalled May being seated when he fired the weapon. Campbell later admitted to investigators he might have shot May multiple times.

Campbell and three accomplices arrived at the Frazee home where two suspects forced entry after May recognized them and tried to shut the door, according to witness statements. The two men immediately began threatening residents with their guns while demanding cash and valuables.

May’s mother described the intruders to investigators as two men dressed in dark clothing, the complaint states. She identified the first as a shorter white male with reddish hair wearing a black hat, while the second was taller and had his face covered. The suspects separated once inside the home; one remained on the main level while the other went upstairs.

A teenage girl identified Campbell despite his ski mask, recognizing him by his eyes, according to the complaint. She described how Campbell threatened residents at gunpoint, struck her with his weapon, and menaced another young person in the home. A deputy noted visible injuries to the girl’s face, the complaint states.

May’s mother told investigators she heard three separate shots during the encounter—one while Campbell was upstairs, followed by two more after he returned to the main floor.

All four suspects fled the scene in a black SUV. Otter Tail County Deputy Josh Putzke spotted the vehicle within minutes near Perham, stopped the vehicle, and detained everyone inside, according to court documents. 

Investigators later executed a search warrant and recovered two handguns from a mailbox where the suspects had disposed of the weapons after fleeing the scene. Ballistics evidence from the crime scene matched ammunition found with both recovered firearms, the complaint states.

The motive for the invasion allegedly centered on collecting money owed to Campbell and his juvenile accomplice.

Campbell appeared in Becker County District Court on Tuesday, Dec. 23, for his first appearance, where he was appointed a public defender. Judge Michael D. Fritz set bail at $4 million with no conditions or $2 million with conditions including remaining law-abiding, maintaining contact with his attorney, no alcohol or controlled substance use, random testing, no firearms possession, and not leaving Minnesota without court approval. Campbell has not posted bail and remains in the Becker County Jail as of Thursday, Dec. 25.

The 16-year-old male also remains in custody in connection with the case. No announcement on if the suspect will be charged in juvenile court or as an adult has been made.

Campbell’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 9, at 3:30 p.m.