Defendant allegedly had loaded shotgun, pointed at own chin

An Austin man who allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at his chin while surrounded by police was charged Tuesday in Mower County Court.

Joshua Mark Hatleli, 26, of Austin, faces felony charges for terroristic threats and fleeing police in a vehicle, two gross misdemeanor charges for domestic assault and another gross misdemeanor for possession of firearms by user of a controlled substance.

Police received a call from the alleged victims, who said Hatleli had damaged a door earlier, returned to the home and made threatening remarks while he had a shotgun, according to the court complaint. One victim reportedly saw Hatleli remove the gun from its case and leave in his car. According to the complaint, Hatleli told one of the victims over the phone: “This is not the end of it. I will … get every single one of you and I will be back.”

Hatleli also allegedly said he was going to kill a victim’s husband: “He is done. I’m coming for him, too, with six rounds.”

The victims told police that Hatleli was going to Marcusen Park and said he would never be seen by any of them again. Police later found Hatleli driving and followed him to Marcusen Park with their emergency lights on.

According to the complaint, Hatleli sat in the front seat with a shotgun, chambered a shell and pointed the gun to his chin. After 12-minutes of negotiating, officers were able to convince Hatleli to surrender. The shotgun was loaded with six rifled slugs — one in the chamber. Hatleli admitted to police he was stressed out and smoked cocaine the previous night, according to the complaint.

Hatleli’s next court appearance is set for June 14. He is being held in the Mower County jail on $50,000.

SportsPlus

Mower County

A new reason to run: After diagnosis, Austin grad is looking to raise funds to fight MS

Mower County

SWCD board chair to serve as VP for state group

Mower County

Minnesota DNR: Enjoy the ice over the holidays, but check it often

Education

Education Briefs

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Dec. 9-16

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

G. Meadow man sentenced for drug charges, challenges pre-investigation in 2nd case

Mower County

Eastbound I-90 lane, ramps reopen in Austin as Cedar River bridge completed

News

A Place for Romantics: New downtown bookstore for romance is a dream for its owner

Agriculture

Voigts honored for conservation farming practices

Business

Austin realtor honored with Realtor Emeritus Award

Agriculture

Grant available to aid in weather resilience

Mower County

In Your Community: Asian Student Union donate 30 blankets to Mayo Clinic

Mower County

In Your Community: Austin Youth Hockey Peewee B shops for family

Brownsdale

In Your Community: Brownsdale Study Club

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

News

Minnesota House tie in peril after judge rules DFL lawmaker can’t be sworn in

News

Unwelcome holiday guests: RSV, flu and COVID-19 on the rise

News

Minnesota deputies saw 250 animals suffering at purported rescue. Weeks later, only 70 were left

News

Federal Reserve cuts its key rate by a quarter-point but envisions fewer reductions next year

Education

Riverland Community College celebrates remarkable enrollment growth

Mower County

Photos: Singing the song of the season

Mower County

Driver in crash that injured Wyatt Hamlin arrested in Tennessee

Mower County

UPDATE: Thursday brings another chance for snow, winter weather advisory issued