Family Quarrel Leaves Son Dead, Dad In Jail
BLAINE, Minn. (WCCO) -- Investigators in Blaine are trying to learn what led to a fatal quarrel between a father and son around 7 a.m. Friday.
Investigators were on the scene within minutes of the shooting along the 3200 block of 89th Curve.
Thirty-seven-year-old Joshua Effertz was found lying on the street in front of the mobile home that he shared with his father. He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center where he died of his injuries.
"The victim had been shot, we're not sure how many times. The suspect appears to be the dad and the dad is in custody," said Anoka County Sheriff's Commander Brian Podany. "There doesn't appear to be anybody else involved at this point, but it's still very early in the investigation as well."
The father is 61-year-old Joseph Effertz. He's been booked into the Anoka County jail on suspicion of second degree murder. Authorities tell us he is cooperating with investigators.
"There was some type of domestic dispute between the father and the son, we don't know what it was over. We're still trying to figure that out," said Podany.
Neighbors say they heard a couple of gunshots around 7 a.m. Friday and then screams as the younger Effertz ran from the home, collapsing on the street.
"It's very shocking," said Amy Klein.
Klein says it's especially shocking for families like hers with small children and added that the park's owners have worked hard to keep the neighborhood free of crime and other problems.
"It's very tragic and I just don't want to have it happen here again," Klein said.
Piecing together clues on the ground and photographs from the sky, investigators will soon turn the case over to the Anoka County Attorney for possible homicide charges.
Ultimately, with the hope of learning how a relationship between a dad and son would so suddenly turn deadly.