ryan larson

Residents in Central Minnesota have had their small towns and sleepy neighborhoods rocked by a string of violent crimes usually thought of as "big city" problems, or something that only happens "someplace else."

Charges against a man accused of shooting and killing officer Tom Decker have been delayed. The Stearns County Attorney's office requested a 24 hour extension of the hold on 34-year-old Ryan Larson. Judge Vicki Landwehr approved the extension.

Minnesota authorities are still looking for the gun used to kill a Cold Spring police officer this week. The Stearns County sheriff's office put out a request Saturday asking members of the public to keep on the lookout for a discarded weapon.

A friend of the man accused of gunning down a central Minnesota police officer says the suspect is "not a monster."