Suspect Charged in Brutal NE Mpls Stabbing

The suspect in Saturday's Minneapolis stabbing death has been charged with second-degree murder.

Minneapolis police arrested Brian Jeffrey Miller, 31, Sunday in the brutal stabbing death of 31-year old Brandon Keeler in his northeast Minneapolis apartment.

Officers were dispatched to the residence on the 1000 blaock of Lowry Avenue Northeast. Keeler's roommate witnessed portions of the incident, according to the criminal complaint.

The apartment door was found damaged, a sign of forced entry. Officers found blood on the walls throughout the apartment before finding Keeler's body in a pool of blood with a knife impaled in his forehead and multiple stab wounds. Keeler was dead at the scene.

The roommate awoke to an argument, and witnessed two people struggling on the enclosed porch. He called out to the two struggling parties, prompting the attacker to flee the apartment – he then saw Keeler fall to the floor and called 911.

The suspect likely suffered wounds during the struggle, as officers traced a trail of blood leading from the apartment to the street and a neighboring chain-link fence.

Officers alerted hospital personnel to beware of anyone coming in with a hand injury likely to have been suffered during the struggle with Keeler. HCMC security notified police of an individual coming to the hospital with an injury appearing to be a knife wound. Miller arrived at the hospital at 6:11 a.m. – nearly 90 minutes after Keeler was attacked -- with sever lacerations on his right hand, as well as wounds on his left hand and face. Miller reportedly arrived at the hospital with a backpack, though he was later found without it.

Officers were notified by hospital employees that Miller claimed he was carjacked and sustained injuries. Miller was questioned by officers and found him in possession of two knives – which they took possession of. Police then searched hospital garbage receptacles and located Miller's backpack.

Miller's vehicle was located at a park in northeast Minneapolis, locked and secure. Blood was found outside and inside the car. It was impounded and a search warrant was obtained.

Investigators found Miller is acquainted with Keller and the roommate, and the suspect was familiar with the apartment layout from previous visits. Miller was found to previously have lived with Keeler's landlord in northeast Minneapolis.