A Princeton, Minn., man who shot five police officers in a standoff in 2023 was found guilty Thursday in Benton County District Court.
Karl Thomas Holmberg, 66, was found guilty of seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, seven counts of first-degree assault, and second-degree possession of a controlled substance.
Holmberg’s nine-day jury trial began Aug. 18.
The incident occurred on Oct. 12, 2023, at Holmberg’s residence in Glendorado Township near Princeton.
Karl Thomas Holmberg. (Courtesy of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office)
Officers with the Sherburne County Drug Task Force and Benton County Sheriff’s Office attempted to execute a knock-and-announce narcotics search warrant at the home, according to the criminal complaint.
Officers knocked several times, announced “police, search warrant” and entered the home when Holmberg began shooting.
Five officers were shot in the incident, with all surviving their injuries.
Holmberg, who was shot in the foot during the incident, was eventually taken into custody after several hours of negotiation.
His wife, Dorine Holmberg, told law enforcement that she awoke to her husband telling her that “they” were here, and that “it was his day to die,” according to the complaint. She also told officers that Holmberg began shooting “blindly” through a closed bedroom door with a military-style rifle.
At an interview at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, Holmberg told officers he was in his bedroom and knew police officers were at his door, according to the complaint. Holmberg also said he didn’t think they had a right to be there and told them to leave.
Officers searched the residence two days after the incident and found nearly 14 grams of methamphetamine, according to the complaint. Officers also reported finding smoking devices, digital scales, baggies, needles and other paraphernalia.
Holmberg had convictions on felony drug charges in 1986 and 2005, according to court records.
Sentencing will be 10 a.m. Oct. 31 in Foley.
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