OLIVIA, Minn. — A Fairfax man has pleaded not guilty to three felony charges in connection with a January shooting at a Fairfax service station/convenience store.
Michael John Klatt, 59, pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault causing bodily harm and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
Klatt is alleged to have shot a male employee Jan. 11 at the Weis Oil-Smart Mart. The 55-year-old man from Hector was flown to a nearby hospital, where a bullet was said to be lodged at the base of his skull and considered inoperable, according to court records.
Klatt is said to have walked to the business the morning of Jan. 11, pulled a rifle out of his pants and alternated between pointing it at a male and female employee.
The male employee grabbed the rifle and Klatt allegedly fired. The bullet caused significant damage to the man’s finger and entered his face beside his nose.
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According to the criminal complaint, the man disarmed Klatt and beat him into unconsciousness before securing the rifle. During the incident, the magazine tube came out of the rifle, showing 11 unspent rounds.
