Neighbor Used 'Axe-Like Tool' To Kill Hopkins Man: Charge

HOPKINS, MN — Mitchell Edward Hoogenakker was charged with murdering his 67-year-old neighbor, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Monday. Hoogenakker, 24, is charged with second-degree murder for killing John Gallagher, Jr. with an "axe-like tool." Police say Gallagher had an active harassment restraining order against Hoogenakker.

According to the criminal complaint, officers were dispatched to a home in the 200 block of Tenth Avenue in Hopkins. Gallagher’s wife had been lying on the couching in their living room when she heard a loud noise at the front door and saw Hoogenakker come in their house.

When she ran to call 911, she saw Hoogenakker pull her husband into the living room and onto the floor, according to the complaint. Police say Hoogenakker hit Gallagher using both arms before pulling him outside.

A man who is a renter at Gallagher’s house told police that he woke up from the sounds of a fight downstairs and then heard it move outside. Officers who responded found Gallagher deceased, lying in the front yard, near the front door.

The criminal complaint states there were numerous wounds to his back and head. The injuries appear to have been made by an axe-like tool, according to police. Investigators said the front door had been forced open.

The renter told the police he had seen a man walking away from the house. Officers used a canine tracker to locate Hoogenakker’s house a few blocks away, on the 300 block of Ninth Avenue. Hoogenakker came outside and was arrested.

In a subsequent search of his home, officers located the axe-like tool in a closet and found “Hoogenakker” etched on the shaft. Hoogenakker admitted he had been at Gallagher’s house and had hit him with the axe until he stopped breathing, according to police.

Hoogenakker is expected to make his first court appearance Tuesday and $1 million bail will be requested, according to a news release.

Image via Google Streetview