No charges in deadly shooting in Casselton; case of self defense prosecutors decide
FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – The Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office has decided not to file criminal charges against a man who shot and killed a man in Casselton late last month.
Prosecutors decided they could not prove that 54-year-old Edwin Kester Jr. intended to kill 58-year-old Randell Burton in an apartment connected to Club 94, a bar and restaurant on October 18.
In a report obtained by KFGO News, prosecutors said, “under the totality of the circumstances, the State is unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Kester’s use of deadly force in self-defense and/or defense of others was unjustified.”
Under North Dakota law, an individual is justified in using deadly force to protect the life of themselves or others.
Burton broke into the apartment where his girlfriend was living. Kester was staying with the woman because she feared that Burton may try to hurt her.
The investigation determined that Burton had threatened the woman’s life days before the shooting and was arrested for terrorizing and domestic violence. He had been released from jail the day before the shooting and was under court order not to contact the woman.
Kester shot Burton in the chest with a handgun when he broke through two locked doors and was headed toward the woman’s bedroom. Kester called 911 shortly before 2:00 a.m. Burton later died at the hospital.
Employee reportedly shoots suspects in armed robbery at cannabis store in Spanaway
SPANAWAY, Wash. – Two teens were shot Thursday night during an alleged armed robbery at a cannabis store in Spanaway.
The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office says a store employee called 911 around 9:30 p.m. to say that their business, Blessings Cannabis, had been robbed by four or five males with guns who were wearing hooded jackets and masks.
The employees told deputies that the suspects pointed guns at them while they stole money and marijuana. At one point, an employee retrieved a gun and shot at the suspects.
A short while later, two 19-year-olds showed up at a local hospital with gunshot wounds. They were arrested and booked into jail for robbery in the first degree, the sheriff’s office says.
The investigation is ongoing and the search for the other suspects continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.