Klatt

OLIVIA — A Fairfax man was charged with first-degree attempted murder in Renville County District Court Tuesday, for allegedly shooting a Hector man in the hand and face in Fairfax Friday.

Michael J. Klatt, 902 1st St., Fairfax, was charged with felony premeditated first-degree murder, felony first-degree assault-great bodily harm and felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. His unconditional bail was set at $500,000; or $200,000 with conditions.

Klatt allegedly shot Kenneth Eckstein, 55, of Hector, in the hand and face with a .22 rifle at Weis Oil in Fairfax. Eckstein was treated for injuries at the scene before being flown to North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale, undergoing surgery on his hand later that day. He was listed in fair condition Monday.

According to court documents, Klatt’s wife told him on Monday, Jan. 7, that she didn’t love him any longer and that she didn’t want to stay in the household any more, so she spent the night at her daughter’s house.

The next day, Klatt drove to Weis Oil in Fairfax and had his vehicle’s motor oil changed, which was done by Eckstein. While the work was being done, Klatt asked Eckstein why he was encouraging his wife to leave him.

Eckstein denied any such intent or conversations with Klatt’s wife. Eckstein told Klatt’s wife about the questioning. She remained with her daughter and did not return home, fearing Klatt, according to the criminal complaint.

On Friday, Klatt dressed in a pair of Carhartt pants and overcoat and put a loaded, Marlin .22 caliber rifle down his pants leg. He walked across town to Weis Oil, arriving at just before 8 a.m.

After Klatt’s wife arrived at Weis Oil where she worked, Klatt entered the business and asked to talk with Eckstein. After some discussion about changing transmission fluid, Klatt withdrew the rifle from his pants leg and pointed it alternating between Klatt’s wife and Eckstein.

Klatt tried to force his wife and Eckstein into an office but Eckstein went into a different office. Eckstein tried to grab the rifle from Klatt, who discharged it. A bullet left the gun barrel and caused significant damage to a finger on one of Eckstein’s hands.

The bullet passed through Eckstein’s finger and entered his face just to the side of his nose. Eckstein was able to disarm Klatt, throwing him to the floor and striking him in the head until he was unconscious. Eckstein knocked the gun away from Klatt, knocking the magazine tube from the rifle, causing 11 unspent rounds to fall out.

Eckstein was airlifted to North Memorial Hospital where his finger was surgically repaired. The bullet remains lodged at the base of his skull, where it is currently considered inoperable.

In court Friday, Assistant Renville County Attorney Glen Jacobsen was granted an enlargement of time for Klatt’s initial court appearance and for a probable cause determination.

Tuesday in court, Klatt requested and was granted a public defender to be appointed. His release conditions are not to come within 500 feet of the victims or Weis Oil/SmartMart in Fairfax and he is not to possess firearms or ammunition.

A settlement conference/omnibus hearing was set for 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.