By Patrick Tepoorten

More information is emerging regarding the details of the fatal shooting that occurred in Lindstrom in the early morning hours of July 22. According to the complaint filed against the shooter, Steven Craig Fleming, 46, Lindstrom, two witnesses were present at the time of the shooting, even trying to ìdiffuseî the situation before they too were threatened by Fleming.

The original 911 call came from witness Jason Slattengren who, along with another witness, Tory Mogensen, was questioned by Lakes Area Police Department officer Tim Tougas after the shooting. Mogensen is described as a resident at the 30495 Park Street address where Fleming allegedly took the life of Martin Roy Carlson, 25, of Center City.

Witness descriptions have an argument ensuing between Carlson and Fleming that became heated, resulting in Fleming pulling a handgun and pointing it at Carlson. Slattengren apparently stepped forward at that time to try and ìdiffuse the situation,î only to have the gun in Flemingís hand pointed at himself. Fleming then told Slattengren to sit down.

Turning his attention back to Carlson, Fleming approached him and shot him in the forehead at ìpoint-blank range.î

According to the report, after shooting Carlson, Fleming approached the two witnesses waving the handgun at them and asked ìwhoís next?î

Mogensen and Slattengren then ìran out of the apartment,î and it was at that time, 1:57 a.m., that Slattengren called Chisago County dispatch. Fleming is reported to have exited the residence, got into his truck, and left.

As has been reported, Fleming proceeded to his sisterís address, 30305 Elm Street, where he reportedly instructed her to call the police.

When police arrived, a primary concern was the whereabouts of the gun. They were told by Fleming, who was laying in his sisterís yard, that he would not talk to them about anything having to do with the crime, but that they would find the gun in his truck. Further inspection of the gun revealed it to be a .45 caliber handgun with ìresidue consistent with witness statements.î

Carlson was stabilized at the scene and airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where he was pronounced dead at 2:59 a.m.

Fleming was arraigned on July 25 and is currently being held at the Chisago County jail on a $1 million bond. He is charged with second degree murder with intent, and second degree assault with a dangerous weapon. If convicted, Fleming could face 40 years for the murder charge and seven years and a $14,000 fine for the assault charge.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 21, where District Court Judge Douglas Swenson may rule on a motion to dismiss all charges against Fleming, filed by Flemingís attorney Stephen V. Grigsby. That motion alleges that the Chisago County Attorneyís Office has ìdeliberately withheld discovery in order to permit further investigation by the police in this case without opportunity for Mr. Fleming to conduct his own timely, concurrent investigation.î

The motion further alleges that the county attorneyís office failed to provide that discovery after two requests by Flemingís defense.

County Attorney Katherine Johnson commented only that her office has followed the law in this matter. Johnson would not comment on whether or not her office will convene a grand jury for the purpose of seeking a first degree murder charge against Fleming. In order for the charge to rise to that level, it would have to be demonstrated that Fleming acted with premeditation in killing Carlson.

Flemingís trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 2. The prosecutor of record is Assistant County Attorney Susan Drabek.