Law Clerk Fatally Shot In St. Paul; Woodbury Man Charged With Murder
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A man was arrested Thursday in connection with a homicide in St. Paul's Cathedral Hill neighborhood, according to Chisago County Officials.
St. Paul police identified the victim Friday as 23-year-old Chase Passauer, from Minneapolis, who was shot six times in the stomach.
Officers responded to a call at about 4 p.m. of shots being fired at North Star Criminal Defense law office above W.A. Frost, on the corner of Selby Avenue and Western Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers learned the suspect -- later identified as 37-year-old Ryan David Petersen of Woodbury -- had fled the scene. Investigators continued to gather evidence into the evening, while other law enforcement searched for the suspect.
According to the criminal complaint, Peterson ran to this house in Woodbuy after the shooting. He kissed his girlfriend and children then told them he was going to where they spend the Summers together.
Chisago County Deputies said around 9 p.m. they located a suspect's vehicle near Shafer. They attempted to pull the suspect over, which led to an 11-mile chase south on Highway 95.
According to Chisago County, the chase eventually stopped in Stillwater, where Petersen was arrested and charged with 2nd degree murder.
"Back when we first moved in, it wasn't uncommon -- gunshots and knifings and stuff like that," neighborhood resident Doug Olson said. He moved to the area 14 years ago. "It was a rough neighborhood back then. This is quite a bit odd."
According to court records, Petersen has a pending case in Washington County for fourth degree assault of a police officer and DWI.
Last November, officers were called to assist with a man passed out in a vehicle with the engine running. When police awakened Petersen, he punched one officer in the face.
After officers placed him in the squad car, they noticed he had bloodshot eyes and smelled like alcohol. Petersen failed field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol level of 0.14.
Court records also indicate that Petersen's attorney for that case works at the law firm where the shooting took place.
North Star Criminal Defense said in a statement Friday that they are grieving the loss of Passauer, "an incredible young man with such a bright and promising future. He was our friend. Our brother. He will be missed, but never forgotten."
Jesse Vetch has known Passauer since middle school in Hastings.
"He really did love life and enjoy life," Vetch said. "He had a very strong sense of justice, which is probably why he pursued his occupation and education."
