EDGELEY, N.D. – An Edgeley, North Dakota business owner has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly firing shots at another man in late March. Kelly Steffes, owner of Steffes Excavation and Trucking, faces multiple charges including attempted murder, drug possession, and reckless endangerment, according to court documents.
The incident occurred at Steffes Excavation and Trucking in Edgeley. The victim, who has not been publicly named, had gone to the business to collect the remaining belongings of his ex-girlfriend when Steffes allegedly fired a shot into the air and struck the man in the face with the barrel of the gun. Steffes then reportedly chased the victim in his vehicle, firing between four and nine shots at the victim’s car, which contained a passenger. One round hit the back window of the vehicle, and a bullet fragment was later found in the exhaust pipe, as reported by KVRR.
During a search of Steffes’s business, police discovered cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. In addition to the attempted murder charge, Steffes is facing three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of assault. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to KFGO.
The victim had stopped to drop off the rest of his ex-girlfriend’s belongings when he says Steffes fired a shot in the air and hit him in the face with the barrel of the gun.
KVRR
LaMoure County Sheriff’s Office, the Stutsman County Narcotics Task Force, and North Dakota BCI jointly investigated the case. Steffes is scheduled to appear in court on June 4th. Four misdemeanor drug counts and one infraction have already had not guilty pleas entered, KVRR reported.
The charges against Steffes include not only the violent acts but also the possession of illegal substances, indicating a broader scope to the investigation. The case is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as it proceeds through the legal system.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, resources are available. You can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).