A University of Minnesota student was not the intended target of a man charged with first-degree murder for allegedly running him down with his car last month near campus, authorities now say.

It now appears that Timothy Bakdash, 29, used his car to hit Benjamin Van Handel, 23, in a case of mistaken identity, a spokesman for the Hennepin County attorney's office said Thursday.

Contrary to what authorities said earlier, Bakdash never argued with or even interacted with Van Handel at the Library Bar before running down Van Handel and two others, spokesman Chuck Laszewski said.

"After further investigation, it does appear that Mr. Van Handel was never in a fight with anyone that evening," Laszewski said.

Laszewski said the new development does not affect the case against Bakdash, who made a brief court appearance Thursday. Because of "transferred intent," he said, if someone intends to kill another and kills the wrong person, they're still culpable for murder.

Laszewski said police are still trying to find the person who did argue with Bakdash. Because of the ongoing investigation, authorities have not released Bakdash's booking photo. He remains jailed in lieu of $1 million bail.

Bakdash was indicted this month on charges of first-degree murder and two counts of first-degree attempted murder in the April 15 crash that killed Van Handel and left another student severely injured.

Also struck were 21-year-olds Katelynn Hanson and Sarah Bagley. Bakdash's mother, Diane Bakdash, 66, was charged with being an accomplice after the fact, a felony, for allegedly helping her son hide the car after the crash. Bakdash is scheduled to appear in court again June 20.

ABBY SIMONS