Man charged in western MN murder identified as 'No Name Given'

WINDOM, Minn. (FOX 9) - A man identified only as 'No Name Given Happy' has been charged with murder for a stabbing at a southwestern Minnesota bar.

Deadly stabbing at Windom bar

What we know: Police officers were called out to the Phat Pheasant Pub in Windom just minutes before midnight on New Year's Eve for the reported stabbing. The bar is located off Highway 60 on the northside of the city, which itself is about 80 miles northeast of Sioux Falls.

At the bar, officers found three stabbing victims, including 30-year-old Benjamin Matter of Windom, who had been seriously hurt. Matter was rushed to Windom Hospital where he was ultimately pronounced dead.

The other two victims, another 30-year-old Windom man and a 31-year-old Windom man, were injured but expected to survive their injuries.

What led up to the Windom stabbing?

Timeline: At the scene, officers arrested a suspect who was being held down by bar patrons. The suspect was carrying a California commercial driver's license that officers say identified him by the first name "No Name Given" with the last name "Happy." It's unclear if that is his true legal name. Court documents list "Happy" with an alias of "George Samuel".

• According to the charges, bar staff told authorities that "Happy" was playing pool with a group of people, but was apparently "being cocky" and causing trouble. The group was attempting to keep the peace but told the bartender the suspect was "being mouthy and pushing things."
• Happy reportedly apologized to staff, but later staff heard him make a threat to use a gun. Another patron also reportedly said that "Happy" had also threatened to pull a gun on them.
• Eventually, Happy was kicked out of the bar and escorted out by staff and a group of regulars, which included Benjamin Matter, the victim.
• According to the charges, "Happy" walked over to a semi-truck but then returned to the bar with a knife. Seeing the suspect armed with a knife, Matter attempted to intervene and was stabbed. Other bar patrons were able to disarm and tackle Happy.

The backstory: No Name Given Happy is charged with second-degree murder, second-degree assault, and threats of violence.

A search of his semi uncovered a knife sheath on the front passenger seat and "documents inside with the defendant's name and date of birth."

"Happy" was treated at a local hospital for his injuries and is now being held in Cottonwood County Jail.