Man, 66, Charged With Attempted Murder Of Estranged Wife
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A St. Joseph man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly chasing his estranged wife in a car and firing several shots at her.
Garry Dennis Vogt, 66, has been charged with one count of attempted murder in the first degree and one count of attempted murder in the first degree while committing a felony.
According to the criminal complaint, shortly before 10 a.m. Saturday Stearns County police received several calls of a pickup truck driving erratically and hitting an SUV on County Road 4.
Upon arrival, police spoke with the female driver of the victim, who said she had been married to Vogt but had recently left him.
According to the criminal complaint, the woman told police she had been driving on County Road 2 towards County Road 4 in Stearns County when she noticed Vogt traveling in the opposite direction of her.
The woman said Vogt then turned around and drove up next to her.
Police said Vogt reached the woman at the intersection of County Road 2 and County Road 4 where he asked the woman to pull over.
She refused and turned right to head southbound on County Road 4.
According to the criminal complaint, Vogt then drove up next to her on County Road 4 and shot at her, causing a wound to her head.
The woman told police she continued to drive with Vogt following her at high speeds.
According to the criminal complaint, he hit her vehicle on both the driver's and passenger's side several times before she stopped on County 4 in St. Cloud, Minn.
Vogt then allegedly shot at her again while she was stopped.
Witnesses told police the woman's SUV was facing the opposite direction of traffic when it stopped on County Road 4.
Upon further investigation at the scene, officers found a revolver with six expended rounds in Vogt's truck.
Court records show Vogt was given a Harassment Restraining Order on Oct. 22.
Police said numerous witnesses told them Vogt was having a hard time with his wife leaving him and that he said he was depressed and upset because of the restraining order.
The woman was taken to St. Cloud Hospital where they located the wound to the left side of her head and confirmed she had been struck in the back as well.
Vogt is currently awaiting his next court hearing in Stearns County Jail.
Vogt's next court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.