Man charged in brutal Minneapolis stabbing death

By CHAO XIONG, Star Tribune

Last update: November 17, 2009 - 9:34 PM

A Minneapolis man was charged Tuesday with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Brandon Keeler, who was found dead last weekend with a knife impaled in his forehead.

Brian J. Miller, 31, broke into Keeler's apartment building, forced his way into Keeler's apartment and stabbed him in his bed early Saturday morning, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court. Authorities have not discussed a possible motive for the attack.

Keeler, 31, lived in the upper level of a duplex in the 1000 block of Lowry Avenue NE. with a roommate. Police say the roommate woke up during the attack and startled Miller, who fled. Keeler died at the scene after suffering multiple stab wounds to his head, upper torso and neck.

He struggled with Miller during the attack, which occurred about 5 a.m., according to the complaint. Police found him in a pool of blood in the duplex's living room, and observed large amounts of blood smeared on walls, a hand railing, the front door, the stoop and sidewalk outside, and two fences near the duplex.

Police found Miller at Hennepin County Medical Center about an hour and a half after the attack. He told authorities he was carjacked, and suffered knife wounds to his face and hand during the ordeal. He said he surrendered his car to the attackers, and took a bus to the hospital, according to the complaint.

Police found that Miller was in possession of two knives, and found his backpack in a hospital garbage container with blood-like substances on it. Miller's car was located in a park in northeast Minneapolis with what appeared to be blood on the door handle and front seats, the complaint said.

Miller knew Keeler and his roommate, and was familiar with the duplex's layout from past visits, police say. Friends described Keeler, who went to Park Senior High School in Cottage Grove, as an outgoing, friendly animal-lover.