Attorney General’s Office secures conviction of Karl Holmberg for shooting five law enforcement officers in Benton County

Jury convicts Karl Holmberg of all 15 charges, including attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault of peace officers, following October 2023 shooting in Glendorado Township

August 28, 2025 (SAINT PAUL) — Today, after a jury trial lasting almost two weeks, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has secured the conviction of Karl Holmberg on all charges—including seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of first-degree assault of a police officer, and a controlled substance crime, following the execution of a search warrant in October 2023. Holmberg also pled guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm during the trial.

On October 12, 2023, Holmberg fired multiple rounds at law enforcement officers as they knocked and announced a search warrant at his residence in Glendorado Township, in Benton County, Minnesota.  Holmberg attacked the officers in the line of duty.  Holmberg shot one officer in the right arm, a second officer in the chest and hip, and a third officer in the right hand, who all needed to be airlifted for urgent medical intervention.  Holmberg also shot two other officers in their ballistic vests, who escaped injury.  Holmberg admitted to shooting at the officers with a .223 rifle.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Holmberg upon a referral from former Benton County Attorney Karl Schmidt under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01, which provides, “Upon request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases as the attorney general deems proper.” The authority vested in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is primarily civil. Outside of very specific circumstances, including requests submitted under section 8.01 and instances of Medicaid fraud, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts. That authority generally rests with city and county attorneys.

“My thoughts today are with injured officers, as well as their friends, family, and communities,” said Attorney General Ellison. “Horrific incidents like this illustrate the risk law enforcement agents face, as well as the tremendous courage those agents must demonstrate, as they protect and serve their fellow Minnesotans. They deserve our gratitude and our respect. I am grateful to the law enforcement agencies who investigated this case, and I am pleased that Karl Holmberg was found guilty by a jury of his peers and will face justice for the crimes he committed. My office and I will continue doing everything in our power to improve public safety in Minnesota.”

Attorney General Ellison thanks the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Sherburne County Drug Task Force, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, who assisted in the investigation and successful prosecution of this crime.