A Minnesota man is reportedly facing a murder charge after being suspected of killing his co-worker for allegedly rejecting his advances.
The suspect identified as Michael Carpenter 36, faces a murder charge in the death of 28-year-old Nicole Hammond, 28, according to the St. Cloud Police Department.
Hammond was found lying in a pool of blood at her workplace, which authorities say was a result of a gunshot wound.
According to reports, an autopsy later revealed she succumbed to a single shot to the neck.
It’s understood that Hammond had “repeatedly” rejected Carpenter’s advances the previous month, a probable cause statement shows.
Reports further state that Hammond texted Carpenter the night before the Oct. 24 shooting, where it’s said that Hammond expressed that she did not want to be touched or manipulated by him, police said.
The shooting took place around 7 a.m, Monday outside the business in St. Cloud, which is about 65 miles northwest of Minneapolis.
Hammond was pronounced dead at the scene, with a single shell casing near her, police said in the probable cause statement.
One witness said they heard the gunshot, then saw Carpenter jog to his vehicle before driving away, police said.
Carpenter was also seen by a second witness as he was putting on a black jacket while wearing black pants, according to court records.
Police later found Carpenter wearing the same outfit.
A 9mm pistol and a loaded magazine were found in his vehicle as officers executed a search warrant, police said.
In a statement which police assert he gave contradictory information, Carpenter said he walked toward Hammond’s car when he heard the gunshot, but ran away when he “was too traumatized” after seeing her body, the probable cause statement says. As per Fox 7
“He didn’t render aid, go to work, nor did he call 9-1-1,” local authorities shared.
It was also reported that co-workers, said Carpenter has “a bad temper,” and he told officers he was “upset” about his text message conversation with Hammond the night before the shooting, according to court records.
If convicted Carpenter faces up to 40 years in prison. He remains in the Benton County Jail.
