A 34-year-old Albertville man is facing murder charges in a fatal arson case in Chisago County.
According to the criminal complaint, in the early morning of June 4, responders were called to the 400 block of Cambridge Drive for a fire that was believed to be intentionally set.
Deputies arrived at the home to find flames and heavy, dark smoke billowing from the home and made contact with the male victim, who was on the ground, rolling in a blanket and screaming in pain, and who appeared to have severe burns on his entire body.
He told responders that he had been woken up by a man identified as Dallas Evenstad in his bedroom.
The victim told investigators that Evenstad had thrown gasoline on him and set him on fire.
The male victim was late pronounced dead at Hennepin County Medical Center shortly after 2 p.m. the same day due to burns over 80 to 90 percent of his body and soot in his airway.
A woman who was sleeping in the bed next to him also received severe burns to her legs.
She told the investigator that she was asleep in bed when she woke up to the smell of gasoline and the sound of a man in the bedroom. She saw the defendant flick a lighter and then saw the male victim run out of the room.
The daughter of the victim told investigators that Evenstad was a long-time acquaintance who had threatened her in the past. She also stated that he knew the layout of the home.
Evenstad was later arrested in Crosby, Minnesota on suspicion of receiving stolen property. The car he was driving was reportedly stolen out of Waite Park. A lighter and a shirt that smelled of gasoline were found in the vehicle.
He is being charged by the Chisago County Attorney’s Office with Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree Assault. His bail has been set for $2 million dollars.
His next court appearance has been set for June 22, 2023.
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