A domestic disturbance in Ravenna Township on the afternoon of May 20 escalated into a standoff involving a heavily armed suspect and multiple law enforcement agencies. The situation ended without any shots fired by law enforcement, and the suspect was taken into custody with a self-inflicted injury. Authorities have now charged 51-year-old Martin Frederick Branshaw of Hastings with attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Deputies from the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office responded around 12:15 p.m. to a 911 call reporting a domestic disturbance involving a firearm at a residence on the 15000 block of Ravenna Trail. The caller, a female victim, said that Branshaw was threatening to kill her and was armed inside the home. She told dispatchers that she had barricaded herself in a second-floor bedroom while Branshaw pounded on the door trying to break in.
Deputies arrived quickly and used a ladder to rescue the woman through a window. According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County Court, she told a friend over the phone shortly after escaping, “He tried breaking in, and I took a chair and put it up against the door and the cops had to get me out of the window...he told me he wanted to kill me, and he tried.” She also described how she climbed out the window and was prepared to jump if Branshaw reached the door, saying, “I jumped into the officer’s arms.”
The situation had reportedly begun the night before, when the two had been drinking and got into a heated argument. After the victim went upstairs to sleep, she was awakened by Branshaw, who entered the room, opened a gun safe, and allegedly grabbed her by the hair. He then pointed a black pistol at her head and pulled the trigger. The gun did not fire, though she heard a “click.” She survived the night, but tensions escalated the next day, leading to the call for help.
When deputies first made contact with Branshaw, he refused to come out and told officers he had a gun and would shoot. Law enforcement contained the area and closed Ravenna Trail, rerouting traffic and staging in the parking lot at United Heroes League. South Metro SWAT was activated and assumed control of the operation.
Using drone surveillance and other tools, SWAT officers were able to locate Branshaw in a second-floor bedroom. They breached the home and found him with a serious neck injury that appeared self-inflicted. Emergency medical care was administered immediately, and he was transported to a hospital, where he remains in custody under medical supervision.
During a search of the home, investigators found an HK .45 caliber pistol under a couch cushion. The magazine contained ten rounds, though there was no bullet in the chamber. Authorities also recovered multiple other firearms from the property, including both handguns and rifles.
“This was a dangerous and dynamic situation,” said Chief Deputy Joe Bianconi. “I’m proud of the bravery and courage shown by our deputies in the face of danger in rescuing the victim and navigating a quickly evolving situation. I also commend the South Metro SWAT team for their skillful response and use of technology in resolving a very complex incident.”
Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced that Branshaw has been formally charged with one count of attempted second-degree murder and one count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. “I’m so grateful for the swift response of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and South Metro SWAT and their unwavering commitment to public safety as the outcome of this incident could have been so different,” said Keena in a public statement.
Branshaw was unable to appear in court last week due to his hospitalization. His first appearance is scheduled for June 12 at 1 p.m. in Hastings. Judge Dannia Edwards set bail at $1 million with conditions and issued a domestic abuse no contact order (DANCO). Once Branshaw is medically cleared, he will be transferred to the Dakota County Jail.
This incident highlights the growing strain on individuals and families facing mental health challenges and other personal stressors that can escalate into crisis situations. Across the country, law enforcement is increasingly called to intervene in emotionally charged domestic incidents where many unknown mental and emotional factors play a central role. In this case, the coordinated and measured response by local deputies and the South Metro SWAT team helped prevent further harm and led to a safe resolution despite the volatility of the situation.
Deputies remained on scene into the evening on May 20 to conduct a full investigation. Authorities continue to examine the events leading up to the standoff and assess what support systems or interventions may have been missed before the situation turned dangerous.
More information is expected following Branshaw’s initial court appearance in June.