MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – No charges will be filed against a man arrested in the shooting death of another man who was delivering lasagna to a family friend.
Last week, police took 24-year-old Hezekiah Hamilton into custody. Hamilton’s listed address was near the site of the shooting of 22-year-old Jody Patzner Jr.
Patzner was killed one week ago on the 3500 block of Fremont Avenue North. He was delivering food to a family friend at about 8:30 p.m. that evening. The friend called Patzner’s family to tell him he never arrived.
On Monday, a representative with the Hennepin County Attorney’s office said that no charges would be filed against Hamilton in Patzner’s death. The county attorney’s office stated the evidence did not support charges against Hamilton.
“As is always the case, we (the police and the county attorney’s office) want to make absolutely sure (100 percent) before charges are filed,” said Sgt. Steve McCarty of the Minneapolis Police. “People can always be charged at a later date.”
This happened after attorneys were granted an extension in the case, as charges had not been filed in advance of the April 13 deadline.
Authorities said Hamilton would be released from Hennepin County Jail sometime on Monday.
Patzner’s stepmother Tara Hesser says they’re frustrated, but they do want to make sure the right person is arrested.
“At first I was like, ‘Wow, they solved this so fast!’ Now, I’m like this might turn into a one, two, three, several year homicide,” she said.
Hesser said they were told by detectives that the man being held will be released. She said they were also told not to discuss the case.
She said they feel sorry for the man arrested “because he was falsely accused.”
Hesser said her 22-year-old stepson was generous and loving.
“Junior was a nice kid. He would do things for people around the neighborhood, like shovel elderly people’s walk, Mow their lawns,” she said.
A fund has been set up for Patzner at participating Wells Fargo banks. His funeral is set for this Wednesday at St. Bridget’s Church in North Minneapolis.
