A California truck driver was charged Friday with stabbing three bar patrons, one fatally, during an altercation on New Year’s Eve in southwestern Minnesota.
A 26-year-old San Diego man, identified by his California driver’s license as “No Name Given Happy,” was charged Jan. 3, 2025, in the fatal New Year’s Eve stabbing at the Phat Pheasant Pub in Windom, Minn. (Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office via Forum News Service)
The suspect, who was identified by authorities in Windom as “No Name Given Happy,” 26, of San Diego, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and threats of violence.
According to the criminal complaint in Cottonwood County District Court, police in Windom were sent to the Phat Pheasant Pub following a report of a stabbing shortly before midnight Tuesday.
Upon arrival, an officer discovered one male victim lying on the ground with other bar patrons rendering first aid. The officer saw two stab wounds, one in the man’s lower abdomen and another in the chest. The man was unconscious and officers also assisted in giving him first aid.
An officer was told the suspect was being held down by other bar patrons. The suspect was identified on a California driver’s license as “No Name Given” on the first-name line and “Happy” on the last-name line. He was arrested and appeared to have a swollen and bloodied face. A hunting-style knife was also seized by officers.
The initial victim was transported to the Windom hospital, where he died shortly after midnight. He was identified as Benjamin Matter, 30, of Windom. Two other men, ages 30 and 31, also suffered lesser injuries in the stabbing.
An officer then spoke with an employee at the bar, who reported that Happy was playing pool with the victims and a group of other bar patrons. The employee stated that Happy was being “cocky” and “making others mad.” The group remained calm, but a few people mentioned to the employee that Happy was “pushing things” and being mouthy.
Happy reportedly apologized for causing problems and then went outside to retrieve a jacket. En route, he walked past the employee and mumbled a comment about “it’s loaded” and “12 rounds to the face,” according to the complaint.
The employee spoke with coworkers and the group that was playing pool with Happy about what they believed to be threats of gun violence. Happy sat at the bar continuing to make threats and the employee told him he couldn’t talk like that.
Another witness told an officer that they and a few other bar regulars escorted Happy out of the Phat Pheasant after he was told to leave by one of the bartenders. After they were outside, the witness reported seeing Happy walk to a semitrailer truck with California license plates and then back toward the bar.
The witness said they had told Happy he needed to leave and that’s when Happy reportedly brandished a knife with a 6- to 8-inch blade. The witness said they moved out of the way and tried to call 911 while Happy went back inside the bar.
According to witnesses, when Happy walked back into the bar, he brandished the knife again and Matter went to stop him. The victim reportedly had his arms out, attempting to keep Happy from coming in. Happy then made a few “stabbing motions” according to witnesses and then another bar patron punched Happy. He was eventually restrained by the patrons.
A search warrant of Happy’s truck was issued and a knife sheath was found in the passenger seat, along with documents with his name and date of birth.
Happy remained in the Cottonwood County jail on Friday.
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