Krystofer Patrick Brooks, 20, is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend, Skylar Kathleen Kiehl, 19, at their home in Hopkins, Minnesota. Brooks claims the shooting occurred accidentally while he was testing if his gun was empty. The victim was shot in the eye and pronounced dead at the scene. Brooks had loaded the gun the night before due to hearing gunfire outside and had taken a THC edible. He remains in custody with a $500,000 bond.
Country: United States
State/Province: Minnesota, United States
City/Region: Hopkins
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Dating
Relationship Duration: 2 years
Incident Date: Jan. 3, 2026
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
2 years
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2026-01-03
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Original language: English
Hopkins man charged in girlfriend's death claims he pulled trigger to test if gun was empty
Domestic Violence
The incident involves a fatal shooting within a dating relationship, reportedly occurring during a domestic conflict involving firearm handling. The suspect's claim of accidental discharge while testing the gun suggests a pattern of risky firearm behavior in a domestic setting.
Krystofer Patrick Brooks was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter. He remains in custody with a $500,000 bond. The shooting occurred at their home. Brooks reported the incident to 911. The investigation is ongoing with court proceedings scheduled.
The suspect claims the shooting was accidental while testing the gun, which conflicts with the charge of murder. The exact intent remains under investigation.
Brooks loaded the gun the night before after hearing gunfire outside. He took a THC edible and was unsure if the gun was unloaded. The next day, while following his routine to check the gun, he pulled the trigger aiming at the window and then at his girlfriend, resulting in her death. Police responded after Brooks called 911.
High risk due to firearm presence, drug use, and domestic conflict within a dating relationship.
Firearm safety in domestic settings is critical. Drug use may impair judgment around weapons. Accidental shootings can result in severe legal consequences. Early intervention in domestic conflicts involving firearms is essential.
The presence of a loaded firearm in the home and the suspect's routine of pulling the trigger to check if the gun was empty were early risk signals.
The suspect's 911 call, the victim's gunshot wound to the eye, and the suspect's admission of pulling the trigger were key clues.
Physical evidence includes the firearm, the victim's wound, and the suspect's statements to police.
Not reported.
No follow-up reports available beyond initial charges and court appearance.
The suspect's intent and whether the shooting was truly accidental remain unclear.