Man Charged In Fatal Burnsville Shooting
BURNSVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) -- A 46-year-old Burnsville man has been charged with one count of second-degree murder for the alleged shooting death of 38-year-old James Edward Koenig.
Robert Michael Thomas made his first court appearance Tuesday. His bail was set at $500,000.
Police say Koenig was shot and killed on Sunday with a shotgun at Thomas' home in Burnsville. According to the criminal complaint, Thomas, Koenig's girlfriend and Koenig's 13-year-old son were inside the residence when the alleged shooting took place.
The girlfriend told police that they were all invited over to Thomas' town home to watch the Green Bay Packers game on Sunday. She said she left for a short time and when she returned, Koenig and Thomas were drinking straight vodka out of white coffee cups, according to the criminal complaint.
She said an argument started and Thomas told Koenig to leave. After Koenig refused and began yelling, Thomas allegedly came back with a shot gun and again told Koenig to leave, according to the complaint.
She told police that Koenig started coming toward Thomas so Thomas pulled the trigger and shot him in the chest.
Thomas' next court appearance will be Feb. 8.
