Fargo Police have released the names of two murder victims and a timeline that led to 35 year old Ashley Hunter being charged with the crimes.
The first victim, 45 year old Clarence Flowers of Fargo, was found Monday afternoon at a residence in North Fargo. Police Chief Dave Todd says Flowers' was killed with an edged weapon and died of stab wounds. He says three people were seen leaving the scene around that time and one of them was Ashley Hunter. Hunter's name as a person of interest, and a description of the stolen black Dodge pickup he was driving, was released to the public. Todd says the pickup was located near downtown Fargo later that afternoon but Hunter was not found. At around 12:30am on Tuesday morning, firefighters were dispatched to a residence in north Fargo near NDSU where a neighbor saw smoke and could hear fire alarms. The firefighters discovered the body of the second victim, 24 year old Samuel Traut originally of Sartell, Minnesota. Todd says Traut suffered blunt force trauma "probably from a hammer." Hunter appeared on the sidewalk after a short standoff with police and then gave himself up. Todd says there was absolutely no relationship between Traut and Hunter, but a relationship involving drugs did exist between Flowers and Hunter.
Cass County State's Attorney Birch Burdick says Hunter has been charged two counts of murder, and one of arson. After allegedly murdering Traut, Hunter allegedly attempted to set fire to several items inside Traut's residence.
Father James Cheney is the Director of the NDSU Newman Center. He says Traut was a Bible study leader, involved in several student and young adult activities at the Newman Center.
Burdick says Hunter's first court appearance took place this afternoon. No bail was set and Hunter told the court he did not understand the charges against him.
