Authorities release names of fatal shooting in western Minnesota

(KNSI) – Authorities have released the names of the people involved in a series of violent events that ended with a fatal shooting in western Minnesota.

According to the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, 25-year-old Ameer Musa Matariyeh of Minneapolis allegedly shot into an Uptown apartment Tuesday afternoon around 1 p.m. after an argument with his ex-girlfriend. She lived in this building with her current boyfriend. They weren’t hurt.

Police established a communications link with Matariyeh and spoke to him for “some time” before learning he had fled the building and was heading west from the Twin Cities.

He showed up in Kandiyohi County, where he allegedly shot 25-year-old Peter Mayerchak at a home in a rural part of the county and then stole his car before speeding away.

Matariyeh then drove to the intersection of Highway 23 and Highway 71 where he attempted to ambush 55-year-old Jerome Skluzacek of New London. He is said to have shot Skluzacek in the head. Skluzacek was pronounced dead at the scene.

Numerous charges are being brought against Matariyeh, including murder.

Sheriff Eric Tollefson and several officers witnessed the latest shooting. He issued a statement saying, “Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts and prayers and respect their privacy during this difficult time.” The deputies and other law enforcement officers who responded and arrested the suspect took risks their lives to protect their communities. These women and men are true heroes.”

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