KROC-AM logo
Get our free mobile app

Minneapolis, MN (KROC-AM News) - Murder and assault charges were filed today against the St. Paul man accused of killing a woman and injuring several other people by speeding into a group of demonstrators in downtown Minneapolis Sunday night.

The criminal complaint filed against 35-year-old Nicholas Kraus charges him with second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree assault. The court record notes Kraus does not have a valid driver's license due to a criminal history that includes multiple DWI convictions.

Twin Cities Summer Jam Ticket Special 2021
2021 Twin Cities Summer Jam
loading...

Minneapolis police say Kraus gave a statement to investigators the day following the deadly incident and stated that he accelerated his SUV toward the protesters because he thought he would be able to "jump" a car that had been parked on the road to serve as a barricade. The transcript of the interview also indicates Kraus knew there were people next to the parked car.

A family member previously identified the victim as 31-year-old Deona Knajdek. She and the injured protesters were gathered on Lake Street to demonstrate against a recent fatal officer-involved shooting in the Uptown area of Minneapolis.

The initial police report on the deadly incident indicated that it was suspected Kraus was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and the criminal complaint states that the results of a blood test to determine his blood-alcohol-concentration are still pending. Kraus is scheduled to be formally arraigned on the charges Thursday afternoon and remains in the Hennepin County jail on $1 million bail.

News Update:  Teenager Killed by Hit and Run Driver in Minneapolis

20 of the Best Good News Stories of 2021

Lots of good is happening in our world, even as we are all in the middle of a pandemic. If you are searching for some positivity right now, you came to the right spot. Here are the top 20 good news stories for 2021 so far.

More From KROC-AM