Homicide suspect also jailed in Dakota County with $2 million bail

By Bruce Karnick

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Sept. 21 was a busy day for the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office. First, the suspect in the Kelly Kocurek homicide was back in Hastings after being extradited from Arizona. Just a few hours later, gun shots were reported from a residence south of Hastings in Marshan Township. The statement released by the Dakota County Sheriff’s Department labeled the incident as “critical.” After five hours, Brian Lusk, 38, was taken into custody.

“On Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, at 10 p.m., the Dakota County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 hang-up call from an address in the 19000 block of Lena Avenue in Marshan Township, Minn. Upon arrival the deputies were able to make contact with an individual. The male involved was identified as Brian Lusk, age 38. At the time he did not appear to be a threat to himself or others,” according to the statement. “However, at 10:31 p.m. deputies heard a loud bang. Over the next hour deputies continued to hear shots being fired and, on several occasions, it seemed the shots were being fired at them. At 3:05 a.m. Mr. Lusk stepped out of his apartment armed with a rifle and was immediately taken into custody by the South Metro SWAT Team. Deputies were able to remove residents from the area while the situation unfolded and there is no continued threat to the community.”

Lusk was booked into the Dakota County Jail on charges of seconddegree assault with a dangerous weapon, firstdegree damage to propertyforeseeable risk body harm and dangerous weapon discharge firearm in a municipality.

Nearly 50 shots were reportedly fired from Lusk, mostly at the property. According to the complaint, Lusk had admitted to using methamphetamine the day before.

In his statement to officers, Lusk stated he had heard two males and his exgirlfriend plotting to “bust in on him.” He went into his bathroom with his AR15. He believed they were inside the apartment and were going to kick in the bathroom door. He heard the deputies arrive at his door, he fired off a round through the bathroom door and believed he hit one of the people in his apartment. He admitted he had fired a large number of rounds off, but admitted he never saw anyone in the apartment, just saw flashlights and shadows. He said all the rounds he fired were intended to be shot at the intruders. He claimed he was trying to keep them out of the bathroom. He claimed he fired all the rounds from inside the bathroom.

No one was injured in the fiveplus hours the officers were at the property.

Kelly Kocurek homicide suspect back in Hastings

Kyle Steven Williams was booked into Dakota County Jail at 7:59 p.m. Sept. 21. His bond was listed at $2 million with conditions: Participate in the pretrial release program if eligible. If not eligible, do not leave Minnesota without written court approval, no contact with victim(s), victim’s family and witnesses listed in police reports. No trespassing, Coratel Hotel in Hastings and no contact with the employees. No possession of firearms or dangerous weapons, surrender any firearms to local law enforcement agency. No possession or use of alcohol or controlled substance, with a prescription medicine exemption. Random drug testing. Remain law abiding, make and keep all future court appearances. Keep court and attorney informed of current address.

Williams is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Oct. 4 in Hastings.

Kyle Williams