On September 1, 2025, law enforcement was dispatched to an apartment building located in Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota, after receiving a property damage report. The complainant, M. N., reported that her boyfriend had smashed out the windows on a vehicle. Upon arrival, law enforcement gathered a statement from M. N. She reported that she was previously dating ANDREW MARK NELSON, [DOB redacted], "the defendant" herein, but she ended the relationship. She was now engaged to A. J. P.M. N. Explained that she received text messages from the defendant on August 29, 2025. The defendant texted M. N., "Best of luck to you and [A. J. P] … Imma kill him, FYI. Save this message," and " Goodbye [M. N.]. I love you, but have a good life.
You win. I'm done. Good f****** riddance. Imma kill [A. J. P.]." In further text messages, the defendant continued to state that he was going to kill A. J. P. In one message, the defendant stated that he was going to kill both M. N. And A. J. P.M. N. Believed the defendant had damaged the vehicle as he still had keys to access the garage where the vehicle was kept. M. N. Further reported that she was out of town between August 29, 2025, and September 2, 2025. She first noticed the damage when she returned home and called the police.
M. N. Provided photos of the text messages sent by the defendant. The phone number on the messages was 763-202-XXXX. M. N. Confirmed that the phone number was on her phone plan and belonged to the defendant. M. N. Showed law enforcement the damaged vehicle. Officers observed that every window on the vehicle had been broken out. All four tires were deflated. There were glass shards and motor oil on all the seats in the interior. All four brake lines were cut and the fuse box was damaged. The vehicle's air conditioning lines were bent.
There were a number of additional wires that appeared to be damaged. The estimated damage was above $1,000.00. There were several drops of a substance consistent with dried blood on various spots on the vehicle. Law enforcement collected DNA samples of the substance from the driver side rear quarter panel, the front windshield, and the front bumper. Law enforcement spoke with A. J. P. He stated that he is the primary driver of the vehicle. The defendant had previously seen A. J. P. Give M. N. Rides in the vehicle.
A. J. P. Also several received text messages from the defendant that stated that he was going to kill A. J. P. Law enforcement spoke with B. M. M. He is M. N.'s neighbor. B. M. M. Stated that he returned to the apartment building on August 29, 2025, and observed two men standing around the vehicle. He recognized one of the male's as M. N.'s boyfriend. B. M. M. Was shown a picture of the defendant. B. M. M. Stated that the defendant looked like one of the males he saw. He further reported that he heard a loud bang shortly thereafter.
