Michael Brasel: Minnesota dad-of-two fatally shot while confronting wife's car thief in driveway
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA: A Minnesota man was fatally shot in his driveway while he confronted a man who tried to steal his wife's car. On Saturday morning, May 6, Michael Brasel's widow Hilary Brasel tried to resuscitate him after she woke up to hear three gunshots fired, according to her emotional post on Facebook.
The death of the youth hockey coach who was also a beloved father of two has left his family and neighborhood devastated. Police stated that they received an emergency call just before 3 am reporting about the shooting in St Paul's St Anthony Park neighborhood. After the cops arrived at the scene, the 44-year-old man was found suffering from gunshot wounds, reported People.
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'He stood up for me with his last effort and breath'
In the heartbreaking post shared on social media, Hilary stated, "Ever the protector and good man he stood up for me with his last effort and breath," and added, "Never thought I would have to try to revive my husband with CPR while my boys are calling 911 and watching. Never thought we would have to ride in a squad car to help SPPD investigators find his killers."
"Never thought my children would need to be DNA swabbed to help eliminate DNA from my car to catch his killer. Never thought I would tell life source that yes Michael would help others with tissue and organ donation. Never thought that today was my last day to have him in my life," she continued. Hillary remembered Michael as someone who "had the best sense of humor, giant love for his boys, and ever-giving spirit to help out those around him," and added, "He was one in a million and I have no idea how to do this life without him."
No arrests have been made in Brasel's murder
Talking to KSTP, the victim's neighbor Nancy Larkey said the tragic incident was "just plain heartbreaking for them (the boys) to lose their dad out of the clear blue. It never even occurred to me that somebody of ill repute — and I am putting it politely — would do such a dreadful thing."
Following his death, a GoFundMe page was set up to meet the funeral expenses and has raised over $100,000 as of Monday, May 8. The page described the slain man as a "devoted coach who inspired and encouraged countless young athletes to achieve their full potential." No suspect has been arrested in the case.