Posted: 7/26/06
Murder in Lindstrom
 Craig Fleming |
By Patrick Tepoorten
An escalating argument between two local men led to an execution style murder in Lindstrom over the weekend. It is unknown at this time what the argument was about, only that it led to the close-range shooting of Martin Roy Carlson, 25, of Center City on July 22.
The shooter is believed to be Craig Steven Fleming, 46, of Lindstrom. According to the Chisago County Sheriff's Office, witness testimony states that Fleming walked up to Carlson, pulled out a .45 caliber handgun, and pulled the trigger. The bullet entered Carlson's body through the forehead.
The round was later retrieved by law enforcement after it fell from a curtain in the house, where it had lodged after exiting Carlson.
Carlson, still breathing when law enforcement arrived, was airlifted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where he was pronounced dead.
Witnesses also say that the altercation between Carlson and Fleming had been ongoing throughout the evening. It started at a local tavern earlier and transferred to 30495 Park Street, where a handful of people, including the suspect and the victim, convened after leaving the bar.
Sheriff Todd Rivard stated that, immediately following the shooting, Fleming left the scene and went to his sister's house only a few blocks away. At that time Fleming told his sister, Denise Fleming, to call the police because he had just shot someone. The 911 call was placed at 1:52 a.m.
As the call was being made, Fleming laid face down in the driveway to await the arrival of the police. He was arrested without incident, and did not speak with police about the incident.
A .45 caliber handgun was later found in Fleming's car.
Five search warrants were executed, including searches of the crime scene, Denise Fleming's house, and Craig Fleming's vehicle, as well as warrants to collect samples of Fleming's DNA and a test for gunshot residue.
Fleming is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday, July 25, and has been booked into the Chisago County jail on second degree murder.
According to County Attorney Katherine Johnson, her office is still working out the details on how Fleming will be charged. However, she did confirm that the most severe charge that can be leveled at Fleming without convening a grand jury is second degree murder. It is possible that Fleming could be charged with second degree murder, only to have it increased to first degree if a grand jury believes enough evidence of premeditation exists.
Johnson would not comment as to whether that would be her course of action.
Because Carlson technically died in Ramsey Co., the medical examination will take place there.
Responding agencies included the Lakes Area Police Department, the sheriff's office, Wyoming Police Department, North Branch Police Department, and Lakes Region EMS.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is assisting with the investigation.
According to the BCA's computerized criminal history, in September of 2002 Fleming was convicted in Ramsey Co. District Court for carrying a weapon without a permit. At that time he was also convicted of Driving While Impaired (DWI). In 2005 he was again convicted of DWI in Chisago County.
All three convictions were at the gross misdemeanor level.
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