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Crime, Law and Justice
Kirsti Marohn
Brainerd, Minn.

Brainerd man charged in deadly shooting, child abductions that led to Amber Alert

an rv and cars parked along a road
The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension responded to a home near Brainerd on Friday following reports of a shooting and abduction.
Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook

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A Brainerd man faces murder and kidnapping charges in connection with last week's deadly shooting and the abduction of a pregnant woman and four children, which led to an Amber Alert.

mugshot of a man
Chad Aanerud.
Courtesy of Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office

Chad Aanerud, 35, was charged Monday in Crow Wing County District Court with 12 criminal counts, including second-degree murder, first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, arson and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Prosecutors allege Aanerud argued with the woman at a home near Brainerd before sexually assaulting her and burning down a neighboring residence. 

He is also accused of shooting and killing 62-year-old Lyle Maske, who lived nearby, then forcing the woman and her four children into a vehicle at gunpoint. 

Authorities issued a statewide Amber Alert. They later arrested Aanerud in Morrison County, after a resident spotted his van and reported it. 

Inside the vehicle, authorities reportedly found the woman and four children, along with 13 stolen firearms. The woman had injuries to her face, neck and chest consistent with being assaulted. 

According to the criminal complaint, after he was arrested, Aanerud reportedly told law enforcement he accidentally shot Maske with a rifle after Maske “stuck his nose” where it didn’t belong. 

Court documents don't detail the relationship between Annerud, the woman or the children. The original Amber Alert described the woman as Annerud's boyfriend.

Aanerud has a lengthy criminal record. In July, he was charged in Crow Wing County with felony threats of violence and gross misdemeanor domestic assault. The criminal complaint alleges he threatened two people with a knife after an argument.

In 2022, Aanerud was convicted in Aitkin County District Court of making violent threats against an ex-girlfriend. His other convictions in Crow Wing County include third-degree burglary, motor vehicle theft and third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

There are also pending cases in Crow Wing County District Court filed this year for DWI and driving after his license was revoked.

Aanerud's next court hearing is Nov. 12. Court records do not yet list an attorney representing him.