Sheriff: Minnesota hunter's death a murder, rifle stolen

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. (KMSP) - Morrison County officials are asking for the public’s help in recovering the gun believed to be stolen during a hunter’s death on Nov. 7. His death is now considered a homicide investigation.

Terrence Brisk of Belle Prairie Township died from blood loss resulting from a gunshot wound, according to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s office.

“We don’t understand why this has happened, and we are begging anyone with information to call or come forward so that our family can have closure and start the healing process,” Brisk's wife said.

The gun, a Winchester Model AE 30-30 lever action rifle, is described as an older model with a wooden stock and forearm, with no sling attached. Brisk was known to carry the rifle in the woods while hunting, but officials haven't found it.

Officials believe he was shot between 2:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a wooded property northwest of the intersection of Hawthorne Road and Jewel Road in Belle Prairie Township, east of Little Falls.

“We just want some answers who did this horrible thing to our son and his children," Brisk's mother said. "His family is going through an awful, hard time. How anyone lives with this on their conscious, I don’t know.”

Officials initially believed whoever shot Brisk may not have realized what happened.

The sheriff’s office, with help from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, has followed up on several leads and conducted multiple interviews. 

There is a $20,000 reward for information that leads to the identification of the person who shot and killed Brisk. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office at 320-632-9233.