Ryan Larson, the man initially named as a suspect but never charged in the killing of Cold Spring police officer Thomas Decker, is once again behind bars for failing to turn in his firearms following a felony stalking charge.
Larson, 34, was arrested in Stearns County and booked into the Wright County jail at 1:30 a.m. Friday for violating the conditions of his release. The arrest comes four days after he posted $10,000 bail and was released from the same jail on a charge of violating an earlier no-contact order for allegedly harassing an ex-girlfriend. Charges say Larson repeatedly had contact with the woman and exchanged e-mails with her on Nov. 29, the night Decker was killed.
Conditions of his release included a no-contact order that said he may not come within 10 miles of the woman's home. He also was ordered to turn in all of his weapons and permits within 24 hours of his release. Wright County Attorney Tom Kelly said Larson failed to turn in the guns and permits. He appeared in court Friday where an additional $5,000 bail was set. If he's released, law enforcement will accompany Larson to his home to retrieve the weapons and permit, Kelly said. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
On the night Decker was shot, Larson's mother was worried that he was suicidal and alerted Cold Spring police. Decker, who was making a welfare check on Larson, was shot outside the bar. Larson, who said he was asleep at the time of the shooting, was jailed for five days immediately following Decker's death. He was later released without charges.
ABBY SIMONS
