A Pine County man woke up around 2:30 a.m. Thursday to find armed men breaking into his farmhouse. Police say two men broke into 75-year-old Charles Carlson’s home on Fox Road near Sandstone.
Carlson struggled with the intruder and managed to grab his own gun. He shot one of the intruders, 23 year old Gypsy Watts, who died at the scene.
The other intruder left the home and it’s believed he had a getaway car. A blue minivan was later found in the area.
Deputies and investigators searched the area for the second suspect with help from a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter and infrared equipment. That suspect and two other accomplices are in custody. Their names have not yet been released.
The Pine County Sheriff, Robin Cole, told us the intruders targeted Carlson because he has something they wanted: painkillers. Charlie Carlson has terminal cancer. He takes medication to manage his pain.
From up in my neck of the woods, and the primary reason I always have a firearm on my person. Two of natures mistakes, specifically targeting Mr Carlson for his narcotic pain meds, necessary for managing his pain due to his terminal cancer. Fortunately he had access to a firearm, even better, how to use it!