An exchange of punches in a western Minnesota park late at night left one man dead and another questioned and awaiting possible charges, authorities said Wednesday.

The confrontation between the two who had not known each other occurred about 12:45 a.m. Sunday in Legion Park in Alexandria, according to police.

Killed after suffering head injuries was Jeffrey D. Preston, 31, of Park Rapids, Minn., police said. A 19-year-old man from Alexandria was detained, questioned and then released.

Police Capt. Scott Kent said Wednesday that his department has forwarded a case to the Douglas County attorney's office for consideration of charges.

There was no video surveillance at the scene, and there is no known video from witnesses, Kent added.

According to police:

Witnesses say Preston was walking on a sidewalk and stopped near a group of people. He began yelling, walking toward and swinging at a male "for no reason," the statement from police read.

Ignoring pleas to leave, Preston punched the 19-year-old, who was retreating in an effort to avoid a confrontation.

After being struck, the man responded with a punch of his own that sent Preston to the ground.

Officers called to the park found Preston on the ground and suffering a seizure. He was taken by an ambulance to a hospital and pronounced dead there.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482