EAST GRAND FORKS POLICE

15 years later: How Joel Lovelien's slaying, and a trial verdict, still haunt many involved

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:22:40 GMT

Editor's note:

This is the last scheduled article for season 8 of Dakota Spotlight. To read all articles on this case, go

GRAND FORKS — It has been more than 15 years since Joel Lovelien was found dead outside the Broken Drum Bar in Grand Forks. It's been more than 14 years since Travis Stay was found not guilty in Lovelien's murder.

And what's left: few answers, but a lot of hurt — a lot of harm.

Obviously Lovelien's loved ones remain bereft of his big heart, his big sense of humor. But there were other victims here. There remains no justice for Joel. To this day, nobody has yet been found guilty of his murder. It remains unresolved.

Hence, the clouds of doubt and accusation remain heavy over Stay and several of those on the party bus who approached Lovelien that fateful night, even as they've tried to moved on and live their lives.

Listen to Episode No. 7 — 15 Years Later

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In this episode, Dakota Spotlight speaks to some of those best positioned to address the matter 15 years later: Erika Lovelien — Joel Lovelien's sister, Peter Wold and Nancy Yon — the lawyer and prosecutor who dueled in the Travis Stay case, Healther (Holter) Keena — who experienced a creepy invasion of her wedding due to lingering suspicion about her then-fiancé, and the Grand Forks Police Department sergeant who continues to check out any new clues in the Lovelien case.

Do you have information or tips about the murder of Joel Lovelien? Use the tip411 app (you may remain anonymous) or call the non-emergency number at Grand Forks Police Department: 701-787-8000.

Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

Joel Lovelien, at various stages of his life, with family members and friends. Joel is remembered as a kind, goofy and generous man.Photo illustration by James Wolner / FNS, photos courtesy of Erika Lovelien, Dana Kelly

Anna Barrett, dressed for Halloween partying as socialite reality star Paris Hilton, poses next to James Wavra, who is wearing a hunter costume. The two were some of the revelers who visited the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks on the night of Oct. 27-28, 2007.

Joel Lovelien

Grand Forks police took a photo of Travis Stay's bruised face as evidence. It is shown here backed by a photo of cemetery by which he walked home the night of Joel Lovelien's death, Oct. 28, 2007.

Grand Forks Police investigators examine part of Travis Stay's Halloween costume. The bloodied sweatshirt was confiscated with Stay's permission and held as evidence against him in the 2007 murder of Joel Lovelien. Stay was found not guilty in a court a year later.

Joel Lovelien

Joel Lovelien is show in this surveillance camera footage screengrab from the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota on Oct. 27, 2007. Lovelien was later killed in the parking lot outside the bar.

Travis Stay — center in yellow — is show in this surveillance camera photo footage screengrab from the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the night Joel Lovelien was killed, in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007. Stay was later the prime suspect in the case.

The Broken Drum Bar

The front entrance of the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Oct. 28, 2007.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

Joel Lovelien was beaten to death outside the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007, amid a night of Halloween revelry. Nobody has ever been found guilty for his murder.

Suspicion immediately fell on a variety of costumed partiers that night, including some dressed as a lion, the joker and a hunter. Local police and prosecutors thought they had their man, the one dressed as a lion that night: Travis Stay. But Stay was found not guilty in December 2008 in a high-profile trial -- a sensational result that has made the case a staple of true crime shows, including the Dateline TV program.

Welcome to Dakota Spotlight's eighth season: "Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien." With unprecedented access to case files and evidence, prosecutors, police, witnesses and family members, Dakota Spotlight creator and host James Wolner will use his unique investigation and reporting style to pursue the case's central questions: Who killed Joel Lovelien? Why was Travis Stay found not guilty? And why does so much suspicion linger around others in this case?

People in this episode Anna Barrett: Dressed as Paris Hilton and left the Broken Drum arm in arm with James Wavra. Witnessed altercation with Travis Stay. Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Archie Ingersoll: Former reporter at the Grand Forks Herald and current news editor for The Forum of Fargo Moorhead. Reported on the trial in 2008. Heather (Holter) Keena: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. Joel Lovelien: 38 years old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. Steven Raasakka: Was walking home in the alley between 10th Avenue North and 11th Avenue North at approximately 12:20 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 when he encountered a seemingly intoxicated Travis Stay. Stay took a swing at Raasakka but missed and then fell to the ground. Duane Simon: Former Grand Forks police detective, chief investigator into the murder of Joel Lovelien in 2007. Rory Suby: Current Grand Forks police sergeant. Responsible for following up on new leads and tips about the Joel Lovelien case. James Wavra: Dressed as a hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Peter Wold: Travis Stay's defense attorney in the 2008 trial of Travis Stay. Nancy Yon: Former Grand Forks County state's attorney. Prosecutor in the 2008 trial of Travis Stay. People in previous episodes Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée in 2007. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Mike Flannery: Former Grand Forks police detective, processed the "party bus" in search of blood. No blood was found. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. Heidi Hosley: Joel Lovelien's ex-wife and mother to Joel's daughter Alexa. Leslie Hovda: Joel Lovelien's niece. Dana Kelly: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Jennifer Kohl-Fichtner: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Eli McVey: Travis Stay's childhood friend. Accompanied Travis on the party bus. Has no recollection of being at the Broken Drum Bar but paid for a drink there with a debit card. Was awake when Travis arrived at home covered in blood. Cora Lee Taylor: Travis Stay's roommate. Partied with Travis and others on the party bus. Spoke with Travis the next morning about his injuries and condition. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar.]]>

Lion costume + blood evidence + wounds = murder charge for Travis Stay

James Wolner — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:01:00 GMT

GRAND FORKS — Two days after Joel Lovelien was found beaten to death in a bar parking lot in October 2007, Grand Forks police asked the public for some help. They wanted to speak with a few unidentified persons, including a man who wore a yellow Halloween costume.

That same afternoon, a 22-year-old University of North Dakota student named Travis Stay walked into the police department. He told investigators he had worn a yellow Halloween costume. He threw the costume away at home though. Why? It was soaked in blood.

Stay had an open cut under his left eye, scratched knuckles and blood on his shoe. He said he had been at the bar where Joel was killed, but he didn't remember much of anything. The only thing he felt certain of was that he never met Joel Lovelien.

Six weeks later Travis Stay was arrested for the murder of Joel Lovelien. A year after that he was acquitted following a 14-day trial.

But, what was the evidence against Travis Stay and what was the state's case exactly?

Listen to Episode No. 5 — The Evidence Against Travis Stay

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In this episode of Dakota Spotlight, host James Wolner interviews former Grand Forks County State's Attorney Nancy Yon, who prosecuted the state's case against Travis Stay in December of 2008. Travis Stay was found not guilty.

To fully grasp the evidence submitted against Travis Stay, Wolner interviews Nancy Yon and two former Grand Forks investigators about the investigation into Joel Lovelien's death.

Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

Nancy Yon, Assistant Attorney General, Grand Forks, ND. Yon was the prosecutor in the 2008 trial of Travis Stay who was accused of slaying Joel Lovelien in 2007. Stay was aquitted after a 14-day trial.

Grand Forks police took a photo of Travis Stay's bruised face as evidence. It is shown here backed by a photo of cemetery by which he walked home the night of Joel Lovelien's death, Oct. 28, 2007.

The Broken Drum Bar

The front entrance of the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Oct. 28, 2007.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

People in this episode Anna Barrett: Dressed as Paris Hilton and left the Broken Drum arm in arm with James Wavra. Witnessed altercation with Travis Stay. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Joel Lovelien: 38 years old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. Mike Flannery: Former Grand Forks police detective, processed the "party bus" in search of blood. No blood was found. Steven Raasakka: Was walking home in the alley between 10th Avenue North and 11th Avenue North at approximately 12:20 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 when he encountered a seemingly intoxicated Travis Stay. Stay took a swing at Raasakka but missed and then fell to the ground. Duane Simon: Former Grand Forks police detective, chief investigator into the murder of Joel Lovelien in 2007. James Wavra: Dressed as a hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Nancy Yon: Former Grand Forks County state's attorney. Prosecutor in the 2008 trial of Travis Stay. People in previous episodes Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée in 2007. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Heather Holter: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. Heidi Hosley: Joel Lovelien's ex-wife and mother to Joel's daughter Alexa. Leslie Hovda: Joel Lovelien's niece. Dana Kelly: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Jennifer Kohl-Fichtner: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Eli McVey: Travis Stay's childhood friend. Accompanied Travis on the party bus. Has no recollection of being at the Broken Drum Bar but paid for a drink there with a debit card. Was awake when Travis arrived at home covered in blood. Cora Lee Taylor: Travis Stay's roommate. Partied with Travis and others on the party bus. Spoke with Travis the next morning about his injuries and condition. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar.
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'A gentle giant' -- Loved ones describe Joel Lovelien, slain at 38

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:30:00 GMT

GRAND FORKS — One doesn't have to hear much about Joel Lovelien to know what kind of man he was: a kind, generous, goofy man, loyal to his friends. And sometimes, he'd spice up his relationship by belting out the "SpongeBob Squarepants" cartoon show theme song.

That all ended when Lovelien was beaten to death outside a bar in Grand Forks in October 2007. Yet the memories live on, carried by those close to him.

Listen to Episode No. 4 — 'A Portrait of Joel'

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In this episode of Dakota Spotlight: the life and legacy of Joel Lovelien, recounted by family and friends. They tell how a stubborn, strong-willed boy who grew into a smart, "gentle giant" of a man with a dry, raunchy sense of humor.

Lovelien wasn't the type to get into a bar brawl. He was a big guy, but he wasn't aggressive. He took a yoga class — and loved it.

"I came to learn he's just a sweetheart and really a big teddy bear," said Dana Kelly, who met Lovelien and became friend with him at their shared workplace of Altru hospital in Grand Forks. "He's the guy that would go out and talk some buddy out of getting into a fight and make sure they were OK. He's not the guy that would go out and ever start a fight."

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Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

Joel Lovelien

Joel Lovelien spending time with friends

Joel Lovelien

And then there was that "SpongeBob Squarepants" song that Joel had become familiar with through his young daughter Alexa.

"Joel became known for belting out "SpongeBob SquarePants" right in the middle of a lunch or having a beer after work with buddies," said Lovelien's sister, Erika Lovelien. "He and Alexa, that was their thing, SpongeBob SquarePants."

Joel Lovelien was a big University of North Dakota hockey fan — as evidence by his choice of a UND jersey as his costume wear on that fateful trip to the Broken Drum bar.

After his passing, arrangements were made to pay tribute to Lovelien and play the "SpongeBob Squarepants song at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks before a game. A fitting remembrance for a hockey fan — a gentle giant and a loyal loved one — gone much too soon.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

People in this episode Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée in 2007. Heidi Hosley: Joel Lovelien's ex-wife and mother to Joel's daughter Alexa. Leslie Hovda: Joel Lovelien's niece. Dana Kelly: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Jennifer Kohl-Fichtner: Friend and colleague of Joel Lovelien. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. Joel Lovelien: 38 years old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Heather Eastling, then later went outside to take the phone call. He was found beaten to death in the bar's parking lot. People in previous episodes Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Heather Holter: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Eli McVey: Travis Stay's childhood friend. Accompanied Travis on the party bus. Has no recollection of being at the Broken Drum Bar but paid for a drink there with a debit card. Was awake when Travis arrived at home covered in blood. Steven Raasakka: Was walking home in the alley between 10th Ave North and 11th Ave North at approximately 12:20 am, Sunday Oct 28, 2007 when he encountered a seemingly intoxicated Travis Stay. Stay took a swing at Raasakka but missed and then fell to the ground. Cora Lee Taylor: Travis Stay's roommate. Partied with Travis and others on the party bus. Spoke with Travis the next morning about his injuries and condition. Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar. James Wavra: Dressed as a hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died.
]]>

Blocks away from Joel Lovelien slaying, a stranger in yellow staggers home

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:38:00 GMT

GRAND FORKS — Steven Raasakka was walking home that night, after a quiet night hanging out, watching hockey with a friend. It was the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007.

Then he saw the man.

He was leaning against a back fence in an alley. Odd, Raasakka noted. Then the man started to follow him. Raasakka noticed he was staggering, like a drunk person.

Raasakka arrived at his garage and looked behind him — there was the man still, staggering toward him, pulling up a sleeve of his yellow sweatshirt. The stranger lunged forward, taking a wild swing at Raasakka, but missed as Raasakka dodged, and he fell to the ground.

Raasakka ran inside. He grabbed a baseball bat, called his friend and went out to look for his assailant — the man in yellow. The hunt had begun. Who was this guy, and why had he tried to attack Raasakka?

Listen to Episode 3 — Travis Stay, the Man in Yellow

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In this episode of Dakota Spotlight, the podcast tracks the movements and actions of the man in yellow, Travis Stay. What was going on with him and his friends that weekend night just before Halloween?

Relying on statements made to police, including by Travis Stay, and comparing and cross-referencing them, Dakota Spotlight will attempt to map out who was where that night, and why — all in an attempt to reconstruct the fateful evening that Joel Lovelien was killed outside the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

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Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

'The Joker' stands with Anna Barrett who is dressed for Halloween partying as socialite reality star Paris Hilton on the night of Oct. 27-28, 2007. The man dressed as a joker was ruled out as a person of interest in the investigation into the death of Joel Lovelien.

Interior of Travis Stay's residence in 2007.

Police cars and police tape surround the scene of the crime at the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks in the early morning hours Oct. 28, 2007, in this police evidence photo, lightened in post-processing by Forum News Service to show additional detail. Joel Lovelien, 38, was beaten to death in this parking lot that evening.

Grand Forks police took a photo of Travis Stay's bruised face as evidence. It is shown here backed by a photo of cemetery by which he walked home the night of Joel Lovelien's death, Oct. 28, 2007.

In the early morning hours of October 27, 2007, during the initial hours of the investigation, the Clown and the Cowboy were located in downtown Grand Forks and taken to the police department for questioning.

The Broken Drum Bar

The exterior of the home of Travis Stay, where taxi driver Paul Balstad dropped him off in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, after noticing he was injured, dazed and covered in blood.

People in this episode Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. Joel Lovelien: 38-years-old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Heather Eastling, then later went outside to take the phone call. He was found beaten to death in the bar's parking lot. Eli McVey: Travis Stay's childhood friend. Accompanied Travis on the party bus. Has no recollection of being at the Broken Drum Bar but paid for a drink there with a debit card. Was awake when Travis arrived at home covered in blood. Steven Raasakka: Was walking home in the alley between 10th Ave North and 11th Ave North at approximately 12:20 am, Sunday Oct 28, 2007 when he encountered a seemingly intoxicated Travis Stay. Stay took a swing at Raasakka but missed and then fell to the ground. Cora Lee Taylor: Travis Stay's roommate. Partied with Travis and others on the party bus. Spoke with Travis the next morning about his injuries and condition. Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. James Wavra: Dressed as a Hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died.
People in previous episode Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Heather Holter: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar.]]>

Why did police grill a 'clown,' 'cowboy' and 'hunter' about the Joel Lovelien slaying?

Jeremy Fugleberg — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:02:00 GMT

GRAND FORKS — The police quickly arrived to the scene: a dark, car-lined parking lot outside a rowdy bar.

This was the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007. Outside, in the lot, was Joel Lovelien, a 38-year-old local dressed like a college hockey player for the Halloween revelry inside.

Episode No. 2 — The Clown, the Cowboy and the Hunter

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Lovelien had been severely beaten. Officers tried CPR, but they could not get a good airway, and they couldn't get a pulse. An ambulance took him away. He would later be pronounced dead. For police, the job was just beginning.

As the investigation turned into a murder investigation, they rounded up witnesses at the bar and beyond. Their interest quickly zeroed in on three individuals, all easily remembered for their costume choices that night, amid an evening of customed, drunked revelry: One was dressed as a clown, another as a cowboy and a third was dressed as a hunter.

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Photo gallery - Dakota Spotlight Season 8

The front entrance of the Broken Drum bar in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Oct. 28, 2007.

Anna Barrett, dressed as socialite reality TV star Paris Hilton, stands next to Bryce Larson, who is dressed as a cowboy. The two were among the Halloween revelers at the Broken Drum bar on Oct. 27-28, 2007.

The Broken Drum Bar

There were others there in costume that night, including a gangster, a bum, a joker, a penguin, and more. But those previous three — the clown, the cowboy and the hunter — garnered attention by police and remain, for some people in Grand Forks, suspicious in the case even though someone else was eventually charged for Lovelien's murder.

In Episode 2 of Season 8 of the podcast, Dakota Spotlight explores the immediate aftermath of the Lovelien slaying, following police as they sort through witnesses, and new information and tips flowing in throughout the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2007. The podcast rides along as police figure out a crucial detail from the night that allowed them to sort out who might have done what, and to whom.

About Dakota Spotlight, Season 8 — Unresolved: The Murder of Joel Lovelien

People in this episode Anna Barrett: Dressed as Paris Hilton and left the Broken Drum arm in arm with James Wavra. Witnessed altercation with Travis Stay. Jon Deziel: Dressed as a clown. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Mike Ferguson: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Heather Holter: Party bus passenger and Jon Deziel's girlfriend. Jennifer Holter: Party bus passenger and sister to Heather Holter. Bryce Larson: Dressed as a cowboy. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. Erika Lovelien: Joel Lovelien's older sister. Joel Lovelien: 38-years-old, a technical systems analyst for Altru Hospital. Joel went to the Broken Drum bar with his fiancée Heather Eastling, then later went outside to take the phone call. He was found beaten to death in the bar's parking lot. William Macki: Grand Forks Police sergeant. Travis Stay: A reveler at the Broken Drum bar that night who was driven home with blood on his lion costume. He was later charged with Lovelien's murder and found not guilty in December 2008. James Wavra: Dressed as a Hunter. Involved in a short fight with Travis Stay. Interviewed by Grand Forks investigators the night Joel died. People in previous episode Paul Balstad: A taxi driver in Grand Forks the night Lovelien was killed, he drove Travis Stay home and noticed he was dazed, had blood on him and looked like he had been in a fight. Heather Eastling: Joel Lovelien's fiancée. Keith Swartz: Discovered Lovelien in the parking lot of the Broken Drum bar.]]>

America-Islamic group calls for federal hate crime charges against alleged northwest Minnesota arson suspect

Meghan Arbegast — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 22:14:27 GMT

EAST GRAND FORKS — The Minnesota chapter of the Council on America-Islamic Relations has called for federal hate crime charges to be made for the alleged arson attempt that happened at the East Grand Forks Islamic Center on Sunday, June 5.

During a news conference Thursday at the Islamic Center, CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein called for an FBI probe of the incident and for federal hate crime charges to be brought against the suspect in the case, Suzette Gay Thompson, 57, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Thompson has been charged with two counts of first-degree arson.

Hussein said the incident has impacted those not only in East Grand Forks, but also communities across Minnesota. He called for the Department of Justice to “properly” charge Thompson with a federal hate crime.

“Minnesota Muslims are facing unprecedented attack against our centers,” Hussein said. “We are now the highest per-capita in the country of attacks against Muslims and we rank among the highest, fourth in the country, of all attacks against Muslims in America.”

Hussein said the reason is linked to anti-Muslim movements, along with a rise in white supremacists and white nationalists who he says have targeted communities throughout Minnesota.

“This incident, it marks the type of worst form of attack against our community,” Hussein said. “An attack against one place of worship is an attack against all places of worship. And our community deserves to be safe and in peace.”

Hussein said work is being done to get federal support to secure the building, but there are still additional needs to ensure the community feels safe.

The Imam/Director of the East Grand Forks Islamic Center, Mohamed Mohamed, said he believes Thompson was “meticulous " about what she was doing and believes she knew when prayer would be going on and was dressed in attire that is common to East African women.

“She came to terrorize us while we were defenseless," Mohamed said. "She knew what she was doing and she targeted us because of our faith.”

East Grand Forks Police were alerted of a potential arson at the Islamic Center at 4:38 a.m. on June 5. According to a press release, after arriving on scene police were notified that the suspect fled westbound. Police were able to identify Thompson from surveillance videos and located her a short time later.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and/or $20,000 fine.

Mohamed said since the incident, attendance to services has been down.

“I would like to reiterate and make it clear that our community is traumatized,” Mohamed said. “We are fearful of what happened. We’ve been terrorized.”

Mohamed said the fire that happened on June 5 isn’t an isolated incident — he has seen similar incidents in previous summers since the Mosque opened in 2018.

The need for community support was another point Mohamed said is crucial.

“We need to know that our friends and community members care for us,” Mohamed said. “The first thing in helping someone else is to show empathy, and we would like to see that publicly being spoken out. We are part of this community, too. We exist and we deserve to be heard and appreciated.”

Several faith leaders from the East Grand Forks community also showed up in support of the Islamic Center. Pastor Sonja Brucklacher at Bethany/Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Pastor Paul Trenne at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Pastor Jeff Brown at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Crookston all spoke during the news conference.

“As neighbors they deserve the right to live without fear and experience of violence in their lives because of who they are,” Trenne said. “The attack on their religious freedom is really an attack on all of our religious freedoms.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also shared his support of the Muslim community in a social media post on June 13.

https://twitter.com/GovTimWalz/status/1536528027466842112?s=20&t=ipEb70QJsQ_-9BpFymFDWA]]>

Grand Forks crash that killed 3 followed shortly after a hit-and-run in East Grand Forks

Hannah Shirley — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:46:53 GMT

GRAND FORKS — A minor hit-and-run incident in East Grand Forks, Minn., occurred just moments before a multi-vehicle collision in Grand Forks and involved the woman who Grand Forks police say caused the deadly crash.

Police believe Jenessa Kelley, 21, was the driver of the Buick Regal that caused both accidents, though the vehicle is registered to her passenger, Shelby Kotrba, 21, according to East Grand Forks Police Sgt. Dennis Robertson.

According to Police Chief Mike Hedlund, East Grand Forks Police officers were dispatched to DeMers Avenue at 12:24 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, for a report of a hit-and-run incident. Hedlund said that both vehicles were going west on DeMers when Kelley rear-ended another vehicle. Within minutes, Kelley was involved in the crash in downtown Grand Forks that resulted in her death as well as the death of two women from Fertile, Minn.

"This is a, relatively speaking, somewhat typical hit-and-run on this side (of the state line), that turned, obviously, dramatically different once it got to Grand Forks," Hedlund said.

In the East Grand Forks hit-and-run incident, Kelley appears to have struck one other vehicle multiple times, Hedlund said. There were no injuries reported.

The damaged vehicle pulled off to the side of the road, and Kelley continued into Grand Forks on DeMers. The scene of the Grand Forks accident is just a few blocks from the hit-and-run incident in East Grand Forks.

The five-car crash in downtown Grand Forks occurred shortly after 12:20 p.m. at the corner of DeMers Avenue and Fifth Street. According to Grand Forks police, Kelley, 21, of Crookston, Minn., was driving at a high rate of speed and in the center lane of DeMers when she struck a Chevrolet Impala in the center lane, then struck a Ford Explorer that was attempting to turn south onto Fifth Street, according to Grand Forks police.

Police say she then struck a Dodge Caravan; in the Caravan were Laura Van Erem, 52, and Nancy Sand, 72, of Fertile, Minn., both of whom died.

A juvenile passenger in the Caravan remains in Altru Hospital, as does the passenger of the Regal, identified by family members as Shelby Kotrba, of Thief River Falls, Minn. Kotrba is awake and lucid, according to her family. The condition of the juvenile in the Caravan is unknown.

The speed limit on that portion of DeMers is 30 mph.

Investigation could take weeks

The investigation into the East Grand Forks hit-and-run remains active, with information remaining limited. Hedlund is unsure how fast Kelley was going, but damage to the other vehicle appeared to be minor.

East Grand Forks police have not yet had a chance to speak with Kotrba, Hedlund said.

Grand Forks Police Lt. Travis Benson told Forum News Service Monday, Jan. 11, that physical evidence was discovered at the scene that “opened up” the possibility that the crash was alcohol-related, but the cause of the collision is still under investigation.

“It is entirely possible. There is evidence to suggest that's a possibility,” he said.

Social media conversations throughout the community also suggest that Kelley suffered some sort of medical emergency in the moments leading to the crash. Benson, however, said it’s too early to know for sure.

“So again, we can't say definitively whether this was alcohol, whether this was medical. ... We're worried that we might never know,” Benson said.

Grand Forks Police are still waiting for Kelley’s toxicology results. Autopsy results are not expected to be completed and made public for several weeks.

Benson said with so many factors, the investigation, which will include a full reconstruction of the crash, will likely take weeks. Details, such as how fast Kelley was going and why she was in the center lane, remain under investigation.

Passenger recovering

Since the crash, Kotrba, a teller at Border Bank in Thief River Falls, has undergone life-saving surgeries. Her grandmother, Marie Thorson Wiseth, told Forum News Service that doctors initially weren't sure Kotrba would pull through, and gave her about a 50/50 chance of making it out of surgery.

But on Monday, Wiseth said her family is hopeful. After being transferred to Sanford to undergo surgeries to repair injuries to her spine, arteries and brain, Kotrba on Monday morning was lucid and talking.

"As of this morning, she's holding her own," Wiseth said. "The doctors have been impressed. They had to do basically emergency surgery on her to save her life, which they weren't even sure she'd survive surgery, and everything seems to be coming along."

Wiseth said Kotrba was friends with Kelley. After Kelley picked up Kotrba, Wiseth said she thought they planned to meet with a third friend for a birthday celebration.

"She's the sweetest, most wonderful young gal you'd ever want to meet," Wiseth said of her granddaughter, through tears. "The community outpouring of love and concern and care is just truly amazing."

The outpouring for support for the victims has included a GoFundMe fundraiser for Kotrba, which, as of Monday afternoon, had raised $14,100 from 190 donors out of a $15,000 goal. All proceeds from the GoFundMe will go to the Shelby Kotrba Benefit Fund registered through Dakota Heritage Bank in Red Lake Falls.

As details of the investigation continued to unfold, Wiseth implored social media users not to share unverified claims.

"We are dealing with this, and we're just devastated," she said. "That's all I can say."

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Grand Forks man accused of attempting to lure minors into stolen vehicle

Andrew Hazzard — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 18:43:31 GMT

EAST GRAND FORKS -- A Grand Forks man facing felony charges for driving a stolen vehicle was alerted to authorities after having strange conversations with children in East Grand Forks, police say.

Joseph Izell McKeaver, 28, has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and bringing stolen goods into the state, both felonies.

McKeaver allegedly spoke to children at two different residential areas of East Grand Forks Wednesday, according to police Detective Tony Hart.

“He didn’t leave the truck as far as we know,” Hart said.

But the truck, a red Chevrolet pickup, wasn’t his.

According to the criminal complaint, police were contacted at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday by a woman who said a man driving a red Chevrolet pickup had offered her children money to get into the vehicle. One of the children took down the license plate number. When police ran the plate number, they discovered the vehicle had been reported stolen by a Grand Forks man.

Officers located the vehicle at the intersection of 20th Street Northwest and Minn. Highway 220. Police say McKeaver had an open beer in the car, and had just under the legal limit of alcohol in his system.

Officers talked with two pairs of juveniles who had been approached by McKeaver, one group in the1400 block of Sixth Avenue Northwest, and another on 19th Street Northwest. Both groups said they’d been offered money to get into the vehicle, and both had run away. One 9-year-old took down the license plate.

Officers talked to the Grand Forks man who had reported the vehicle stolen Wednesday. He told them he parked the car near his apartment in Grand Forks about 9 a.m. and returned to find it gone around 11:30 a.m. He said he left the keys in the console.

When officers spoke to McKeaver, he told them he is currently living in the Ambassador Hotel in Grand Forks. McKeaver told officers he didn’t think it was wrong to take the truck because the keys were in it when he found it. He said he had mental health problems and had not taken his medication for about five weeks.

Hart told the Herald McKeaver is originally from Iowa and has a lengthy criminal record in several states.

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