ELBOW LAKE, Minn. — An Elbow Lake man has suggested he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot his brother, but deputies and prosecutors alleged the western Minnesota shooting was murder.

Connor Bruce Grytdahl, 30, appeared Wednesday in Grant County District Court on a felony charge of second-degree murder. He could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted in the Sunday death of his 33-year-old brother, Stephen Grytdahl.

The charge comes after the Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded at 11:19 p.m. Sunday to Connor Grytdahl’s home at 324 10th Ave. S.E., according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday. Connor Grytdahl told dispatchers he shot his brother, and deputies found Stephen Grytdahl with a gunshot wound to his chest, the complaint said.

Connor Grytdahl said his brother was “beyond CPR,” the complaint said. Paramedics declared Stephen Grytdahl dead at the scene.

Connor Grytdahl suggested, according to the complaint, that he acted in self-defense. Law enforcement officers have expressed skepticism about that claim.

Deputies had responded to the Grytdahl residents around 9:30 p.m. Sunday after Connor Grytdahl said his brother was drinking in violation of his probation, the complaint said. Stephen Grytdahl was sentenced in November to four years probation for allegedly driving while intoxicated in Otter Tail County, according to court records.

Deputies determined Stephen Grytdahl was drinking but couldn’t contact his probation officer, so they told him to stop and left, court documents said.

Stephen and Connor Grytdahl both agreed to remain separated for the night, according to the complaint.

Connor Grytdahl told deputies he retrieved a handgun from his bedroom and loaded it after law enforcement left the first time, the complaint said. At one point, Stephen Grytdahl came out of his bedroom, and the two argued, according to court documents.

Connor Grytdahl claimed there was “some pushing and shoving” before the shooting, according to court documents. He claimed his brother was coming after him aggressively, adding he was retreating from where Stephen Grytdahl’s body was found, the complaint said.

Law enforcement said there was no sign of a struggle at the home, and Connor Grytdahl’s version of the story was not consistent with evidence found at the scene, including the location of shell casings, the complaint said.

Grant County District Judge Benjamin Wilcox set bond at $1 million. Connor Grytdahl remains in custody at the Wilkin County Jail.

Court records did not list an attorney for the defendant.

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