Hastings Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Armed Standoff in Ravenna Township
RAVENNA TOWNSHIP, MINNESOTA – Dakota County Attorney Kathey Keena announced in a press release Thursday afternoon that a 51-year-old Hastings man has been charged with attempted murder and assault following a dramatic domestic violence incident and hours-long standoff in rural Dakota County on May 20, 2025.
Martin Frederick Branshaw was formally charged Wednesday with one count of second-degree attempted murder and one count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced.
The charges stem from an incident that began just after noon on Tuesday, May 20th, when deputies from the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a residence in the 15000 block of Ravenna Trail for a reported domestic disturbance involving a firearm.
According to court documents, a female victim called 911 and reported that Branshaw was threatening to kill her and had a gun. She had barricaded herself in a second-floor bedroom while Branshaw pounded on the door, attempting to break in. Deputies arrived and were able to rescue the victim through a window using a ladder. She was evaluated at the scene and was found to be in good physical condition.
The victim later told authorities that the night before the incident, she and Branshaw had been drinking and got into an argument. She had gone upstairs to sleep, but Branshaw allegedly continued to yell at her. She said she awoke to him in the bedroom unlocking a gun safe. According to her account, Branshaw grabbed her by the hair and pressed a pistol to her temple. He pulled the trigger, she said, but the gun failed to fire—making only a "click" sound.
Deputies secured the area and called in South Metro SWAT, who took command of the scene. Branshaw, who remained inside, told law enforcement he was armed and threatened to shoot. Using drones and tactical equipment, SWAT members eventually breached the residence and located Branshaw in a second-floor bedroom with a self-inflicted neck injury.
Emergency medical aid was rendered on-site, and Branshaw was transported to an area hospital, where he remains in custody.
An HK .45 caliber pistol was recovered under a couch cushion. It was loaded with a magazine containing 10 rounds, but no bullet was in the chamber.
Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena expressed gratitude for law enforcement’s response:
“I’m so grateful for the swift response of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and South Metro SWAT and their unwavering commitment to public safety, as the outcome of this incident could have been so different.”
Branshaw was unable to appear in court due to his hospitalization. His initial court appearance is scheduled for June 12, 2025 at 1 p.m. in Hastings. Judge Dannia Edwards set bail at $1 million with conditions and issued a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order (DANCO). Upon medical clearance, Branshaw will be transferred to the Dakota County Jail.
Rough location of domestic incident.
Written by: Will Wight
