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A man has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly fatally assaulting a security guard at a hospital in Chisago County on Christmas Day.

Jonathan Winch, 35, of St. Croix Falls, Wis., was charged Monday in Chisago County District Court, in connection with the death of 43-year-old Andrea Merrell outside the M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center in the city of Wyoming.

According to the criminal complaint filed against Winch, just before 5:30 p.m. on the holiday, a police officer responded to the hospital “on a report of an adult male leaving the emergency department contrary to a medical hold.”

When the officer arrived, they found Merrell on the ground in the parking lot, unconscious, next to a hospital security vehicle with its lights activated.

“The officer observed the defendant, a large adult male without a shirt and wearing dark colored sweatpants, attempting to get into the security vehicle. As the officer stopped his squad car near the security vehicle, the defendant jumped on the windshield of the officer’s squad car,” the complaint states.

The officer used their Taser, but Winch allegedly “refused commands and continued to advance on the officer. As the defendant pushed towards the officer, he made multiple statements (that) ‘I didn’t mean to hurt her.’”

The officer reportedly “actively fought” with Winch for about five minutes, until additional officers arrived and Winch was placed under arrest. 

Merrell was treated at the scene for severe head trauma and taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. She died from her injuries on Saturday.

The criminal complaint said security camera footage from the hospital in Wyoming showed two people engaged in a physical struggle. The larger person — allegedly Winch — is seen on top of, and swinging at, the other person — allegedly Merrell.

Chisago County Jail records indicate Winch is 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 363 pounds. He was due to make an initial court appearance on Monday.

In a statement over the weekend, M Health Fairview said Merrell was “a valued member of our security team.”

“Our hearts are with her loved ones and coworkers during this incredibly difficult time. We are focused on supporting our teams and ensuring they have the resources they need,” the health system said.

The attack has shaken the community of frontline workers in the area. 

Russ Hanes runs the Invisible Wounds Project, an organization that connects those workers to mental health resources. 

That need has been high this week. Hanes said the community of first responders in the area is small, and lots of people who knew Merrell were shaken by her death. The Invisible Wounds Project brought in extra staff and therapy dogs this week for people who came in for help. 

“A week down the road, two weeks down the road, after the ceremonies and after the funeral and after the support that is out here now kind of goes away, we want people know that we're still there to support them and they have a place to go,” Hanes said.

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A man has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly fatally assaulting a security guard at a hospital in Chisago County on Christmas Day.


Suspect charged with killing security guard at Chisago County hospital

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