Charges: Man killed neighbor over deer dispute
The Ramsey County Attorney's Office filed murder charges Wednesday against a New Brighton man authorities say killed a neighbor who provided food for deer.
According to the charges, on Monday Neal Curtis Zumberge fired a 12-gauge shotgun at Todd Stevens, fatally wounding him. Zumberge, 57, also shot Jennifer Damerow Cleven, who survived, authorities said.
New Brighton police say they knew there was an ongoing dispute between Zumberge and his neighbors, who lived across the street.
According to the complaint, part of the feud involved charges that members of Zumberge's family blamed his contraction of Lyme disease on the presence of deer in the neighborhood. Police say Zumberge's son threatened to burn down the neighbor's house because they were feeding the deer.
Zumberge is also accused of attempted murder. Ramsey County Attorney John Choi in a statement called the incident "tragic" and "senseless."
MPR News partner KARE11 contributed to this report.
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