Karl Swanson

Age 55  |  Gunshot wound
Date of homicide​: August 22, 2020

In Vadnais Heights, on August 22, deputies responded to a loose dog call.  While at the scene, deputies located a dog belonging to Karl Swanson, who was visiting a longtime friend, Jeffrey Thomas. Jeffrey said the dog belonged to his friend Karl and that Karl was working under a car in the garage.

When deputies went to make contact with Karl, they found him unresponsive and motionless under the car surrounded by a pool of blood. Deputies asked Jeffrey what happened. Jeffrey claimed that he didn’t know and he had thought Karl was changing his oil. Deputies found a spent shell casing and another pool of blood nearby.  

Jeffery was taken into custody and charged with second degree murder.