Murder Charge Filed in Albert Lea Shooting

ALBERT LEA, Minn. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a 26-year-old with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of another man at a state park in southern Minnesota.

David Michael Easter made his first court appearance Thursday. Freeborn County District Judge Steven Schwab set bail at $200,000.

The Albert Lea Tribune reports that defense attorney Jeremy Clinefelter says Easter acted in self-defense in Tuesday's shooting at Myre-Big Island State Park. He says Easter believed his family was in danger.

But prosecutor David Walker said he hasn't seen any evidence to substantiate Easter's claim of self-defense. Investigators say the victim was sitting in his car when he was shot from outside through a closed window. The transmission was in reverse and his foot was on the brake.

His name has not been released, pending autopsy results.