Minnesota Man Charged After Fatally Attacking Co-Worker with Sledgehammer

A Minnesota man is facing murder charges after allegedly killing a co-worker with a sledgehammer at a food and dairy processing facility in Cokato. According to Wright County authorities, 40-year-old David Delong of Watkins attacked 20-year-old Amber Czech early Tuesday morning at Advanced Process Technologies.

Deputies responded to the scene around 6 a.m. following a 911 call reporting a woman with severe head trauma. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, Czech was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say surveillance footage captured Delong walking to Czech’s workstation, grabbing a sledgehammer, and striking her multiple times. According to court documents, Delong later confessed, telling investigators he “didn’t like” the victim and had been planning the attack for some time.

The victim’s family described Czech as a talented welder who loved her job and was passionate about her work. Her former teacher and basketball coach, Dennis Piechowski, remembered her as a bright and driven student. “You just kind of tear up a little bit because of who the kid was,” he said.

Czech, a Hutchinson High School graduate, was known for her dedication to welding and her skill on the basketball court. “She’d be hitting left and right,” Piechowski recalled.

Advanced Process Technologies released a statement expressing heartbreak over the tragedy. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends in this terrible moment,” the company said. “Production at the facility has been paused for the remainder of the week, and administrative staff are working remotely.”

Delong has been charged with second-degree murder, which carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison. Prosecutors say the charge could be upgraded to first-degree murder as the investigation continues.

Credit: CNN Newsource
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