Facebook squabble escalates to violence in Cass Lake

A social media squabble escalated to violence early Friday morning in Cass Lake, ending with one man shot, one beaten, one in jail and another on the run.

Just after midnight, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Department got a call reporting gunshots in the Allen's Bay neighborhood, northwest of Cass Lake.

When they arrived, they found Christopher Alex Romero, 22, with a gunshot wound in his leg. Another man, Edward Manuel Romero, 23, was found nearby with injuries from a beating.

Cory Walter Jones was taken into custody at the scene by officers and charged with assault and felon in possession of a firearm. He was taken to Beltrami County Jail.

Dwight Thomas Jones, 39, of Cass Lake fled the scene and is wanted by law enforcement.

Overnight, sheriff's deputies said they pieced together a series of events. The Romero's exchanged Facebook posts with Cory and Dwight Jones about money they owed, and finally came from their home near White Earth to collect the debt.

The confrontation became violent, police said.

Dwight Jones is still free and should be considered armed and dangerous, and according to information released by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Department.

Those with information on his whereabouts are asked to contact the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office at 218-333-9111.