Minnesota Man, Mike Larry Carda Arrested in Fatal Shooting of His Wife, Sarah Jane Carda

 

A man from Minnesota found himself in custody after authorities alleged that he fatally shot his wife last week, just as a responding officer knocked on their front door and announced his presence.


This tragic event occurred at the couple's Fish Lake Township home, situated about 55 miles north of Saint Paul.

According to a criminal complaint, which was examined by PEOPLE, the Chisago County Sheriff's Office confirmed that 35-year-old Sarah Jane Carda lost her life at the hands of her husband, 39-year-old Mike Larry Carda. 

At the time of her death, investigators revealed that Mike was facing a pending domestic violence case related to Sarah and had a domestic abuse no-contact order against him.

On the fateful day, just after noon, the sheriff's office received a call about "a large number of weapons" in the home and people involved in a dispute, according to the complaint.


A deputy approached the home and heard a man's voice. He knocked on the front door, identifying himself as a sheriff's deputy, but received no response.

Subsequently, the deputy knocked on a nearby window, where a woman's voice inside said, "he has a gun," as stated in the complaint. While stepping away from the window, three gunshots were fired through the glass at head level.

A SWAT team and other law enforcement agencies were summoned, and they utilized a police K-9 and a drone to apprehend Mike, who refused to exit the house, as outlined in the complaint.

The preliminary autopsy results disclosed that Sarah had sustained three gunshot wounds to the head.

In a Facebook post, the Isanti County Sheriff's Office pointed out that Sarah, who had been a registered nurse at the county's correctional facility since 2014, fell victim to domestic violence. The statement conveyed the agency's grief and condolences to Sarah's family and friends.


October is domestic violence awareness month, and the sheriff's office underscored that this "tragic event is a reminder for all of us."

Mike faces charges of second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, according to the complaint. He is currently held on $2 million bond, and his next court appearance is scheduled for October 24. It's unclear whether he has entered a plea or secured an attorney.

A GoFundMe campaign was established by Sarah's loved ones to assist with funeral expenses. The fundraising page conveys the heartbreak and loss experienced by Sarah's sister, Melissa Stockness, who stated, "After 17 years of providing unconditional love and support, the person she should have been able to trust the most ended her life."

Sarah was described on the GoFundMe page as someone who cherished music, the outdoors, and spending time with her dogs and nephews. The remainder of the proceeds will be donated to the Domestic Abuse Project.

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