Emily man accused in father-in-law's death
A 37-year-old Emily man, Steven Bernard Radke, faces a murder charge in connection with the Wednesday death of his father-in-law.
A criminal complaint accusing Radke of felony second-degree murder was filed Thursday in Crow Wing District Court. Radke, who is being held in the Crow Wing County jail, is expected to appear in court Friday.
Radke is accused of using a rifle to shoot 57-year-old Darrell Buesgens at Buesgens' home on Little Bass Lake Road south of Emily. Buesgens was pronounced dead at his residence
Steven Radke has a history of domestic violence, court documents say.
According to court documents, Radke, who has a history of domestic violence and who is estranged from his wife and Buesgens' daughter, Melanie Radke, told investigators that Buesgens was not going to prevent him from seeing his children. Melanie Radke had been staying at her parents' residence.
Crow Wing County Attorney Don Ryan would not comment if he intends to call a grand jury for consideration of first-degree murder charges.
According to the criminal complaint against Steven Radke:
- Melanie Radke told officers that she was outside the residence with her father and young children when they heard a gunshot. She said they didn't know from where it originated. Buesgens then told everyone to go inside the house. Once inside, he got a shotgun and went back outside. It was at that point that Buesgens was shot and Melanie called 911.
See photos from the crime scene in our Photo Galleries.
- Melanie Radke said Steven Radke told her to pack clothing for herself and the kids because they were going to Mexico. She packed clothing and supplies and put them in her car. She also told officers that Steven Radke put two guns in the trunk of the car and dragged Buesgens body from the yard into a wooded area. Officers arrived before she was forced to leave with Steven Radke.
- In an interview with investigators, Steven Radke said he drove a four-wheeler from his residence to Buesgens' residence, approached the house with a rifle and laid on a slope by playground equipment. He said he fired his first shot but didn't hit anything. When Buesgens came outside with a gun, Radke said he fired again, hit Buesgens and Buesgens fell to the ground. Buesgens then stood up and Radke said he fired another shot, which stuck and killed his father-in-law.
Officers searching the area found a four-wheeler, two firearms in Melanie Radke's trunk, bags containing personal items in the trunk and empty rifle shell casings near where Radke said he fired gunshots at Buesgens.
After he was arrested, officers found rifle ammunition on Steven Radke. He began making spontaneous comments relating to the shooting, indicating that he shot Buesgens and that he was not proud of that. He also repeatedly told officers that he was sorry and indicated he had a plan.
- In subsequent interviews with Melanie Radke and her mother, Lynette Buesgens, officers learned that there had been a history of problems with Steven Radke, including threats made toward them the last two years. They said his behavior escalated the last few weeks that Melanie had been staying with her parents. Because of his long history of domestic violence, Melanie Radke said she is fearful for her life should Steven Radke be released from jail.
In 1995, Radke was convicted of misdemeanor terroristic threats in Dakota County, for which he served 10 days in jail and was placed on three years supervised probation.
In Crow Wing County, Radke has appeared in court on various misdemeanor charges since 1998, including domestic assault, falsely reporting a crime and fifth-degree assault, according to court records.
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.