Hastings Family Offers $5K Cash Reward For Info On Killer
HASTINGS, Minn. (WCCO) -- The family of the first man murdered in Hastings in 10 years is offering a reward for information that leads police to a killer.
Police found 34 year-old Jason Reuter shot to death in his front yard on June 22. Police are still investigating and believe his murder is an isolated incident.
His family believes someone in this small town knows something.
For his dad, Mike, not knowing why someone would take his son's life is heart breaking.
That's why Reuter's family is offering a $5,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who killed him.
"He loved to hunt, he had a passion for fishing, loved family, friends, just a loving kid," Reuter's father said.
When he talks about his son, he is all smiles.
They were close.
They worked together in the family business and spent lots of time fishing and hunting together.
"He was not just my son," Mike said, "he was my partner, and plus he was my best friend."
He tears up when he thinks about how his son died, and how he desperately wants answers as to who killed him and why.
"We don't know who could hate somebody that much to take somebody's life," he said. "And the way they did it – it was down-right, plain aggravated murder. That's what it was."
Police were called to the 1200 block of Eddy Street around 10 p.m. that Sunday night on reports of shots fired.
"When we arrived there, Jason Reuter was found dead in the yard and that was his residence," said Hastings Police Chief Brian Schafer.
Police do not believe this to be random.
Schafer says the Reuters are well-known in this small river town.
People know and respect the family.
Investigators hope someone will come forward with the information needed to put a killer behind bars.
"We are seriously evaluating every tip that we get," Schafer said.
The family hopes the $5,000 reward and an additional $1,000 from crime stoppers will spark someone to tell what they know.
"Sometimes, the smallest tip can be the biggest tip," Reuter said.
The BCA is assisting Hastings police with the investigation.
If you have any information, call Hasting police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.