Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man was arraigned on murder charges today in Wabasha County Court.

Forty-four-year-old Craig Hameister was arrested following a standoff at law enforcementWednesday night near Chester Woods Park, just east of Rochester, where nearby residents had received a "shelter in place" order from the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office. It was later announced that he was a suspect in the murder of a woman in Wabasha County.

A GoFundMe online fundraiser has been established to help pay forfuneral and other expenses.

According to the complaint, Hameister’s pickup was found at an address near Chatfield. Officers observed a 9mm bullet on the floor of the vehicle. A resident at the property told investigators that Hameister appeared “very frantic” and said “something bad happened” and “the cops would be coming,” before leaving on a motorcycle. The witness also reported a 9mm handgun was missing.

Olmsted County Sheriff's Office photo

Deputies later searching the boat launch recovered an unspent 9mm round. The autopsy indicated gunshot residue embedded in the wound on the victim’s face.

The complaint states Hameister was captured after an hours-long standoff near Chester Woods Park. He had climbed into a tree to avoid arrest, and a 9mm handgun was found at the base of the tree.

Hameister is charged with two counts of second-degree murder. His bail has been set at $2 million and he is scheduled to return to court for hearing next month.

More Minnesota News:

These Common Household Items Are Now Banned In Minnesota

A hot topic lately is PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals" because they are difficult for humans to detoxify and have half-lives measured in years. These chemicals accumulate in the body over time and can cause significant health issues even at low exposure levels

PFAS are commonly found in the environment and the human body and have been linked to a range of health concerns including increased cholesterol levels, potential disruption of hormone systems, reduced immune function, increased risk of certain cancers, developmental issues in children, and reproductive problems, particularly in pregnant women.

On January 1, 2024, Minnesota prohibited PFAS in firefighting foam and food packaging. The state is taking an even more aggressive stance against the chemicals in 2025.

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the first prohibitions of products containing intentionally added PFAS under Amara's Law (Minn. Stat. § 116.943) are now in effect in Minnesota, meaning you can no longer legally purchase these items.

If you're wondering if you already have products with intentionally added PFAS, you can take the following steps to be sure:

Check the label - Look for products that are labeled as PFAS-free.
Check for keywords - Look for words like "waterproof," "stain-repellent," or "dirt-repellant" on the tag.
Check for ingredients - Avoid products that contain ingredients with "perfluoro" or "fluoro" in their name.
Use a third-party verification service - Some organizations offer third-party verification of products that claim to be made without PFAS.

As of January 1, 2025, you can no longer purchase products with intentionally added PFAS in Minnesota. These products fall under the 11 categories below.

Gallery Credit: David Drew