South St. Paul, MN – A Minnesota man has been indicted for allegedly killing the veteran he was assigned to care for, authorities said. The suspect reportedly used the victim’s own rifle to commit the crime, leaving family and neighbors shocked.
Incident Overview
On April 11, around 8:50 p.m., the South St. Paul Police Department received a 911 call from 36-year-old Jacob John Audie, who admitted to shooting his roommate, 72-year-old Michael Maurice Schille, in their apartment. Officers responded and found Schille on a couch in his bedroom with a gunshot wound to the left side of his face, still holding a television remote. He was pronounced dead at the scene by responding medics.
Evidence Found at the Scene
Investigators reported finding a magazine from an AR-style rifle on a nearby table, the rifle itself in the living room, and a single bullet on the couch. Audie confirmed that he had taken these actions before calling 911 to explain what he had done. He was detained shortly afterward in the apartment parking lot.
Charges and Indictment
Audie was indicted by a Dakota County grand jury on first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree intentional murder. He was initially charged only with second-degree murder in April. If convicted of first-degree premeditated murder, Audie faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Victim’s Background
Schille, a veteran, had been living with Audie, who acted as his caretaker for the past year or two. Family members described him as a man who “was a master at finding the silver lining in any situation and had an utterly contagious laugh.” Schille’s daughter, Jessica Comer, said there had been no tension leading up to the shooting and expressed disbelief over her father’s death.
“It doesn’t make sense. Michael lost his life at the hands of someone he trusted,” Comer said.
Autopsy and Official Findings
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy, concluding that Schille’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to the face and the manner of death was homicide. Authorities have not disclosed a motive behind the alleged shooting.
Next Steps in the Case
Audie’s next court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, where proceedings related to the premeditated murder charge will continue. Law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
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