MERCER COUNTY, ND ( KXNET ) — On Friday morning, a jury found Shawn Gramkow guilty of manslaughter and reckless endangerment following the shooting death of another man at a bar in Beulah.

The jury did not convict Gramkow of the more serious murder charge. Earlier this summer, one of the charges against Gramkow was dropped .

The incident happened in March of 2023 when prosecutors say Gramkow was drinking in the bar and used a racial slur jokingly, but that one of the men nearby, who was black, headbutted Gramkow.

Investigators say the other man punched Gramkow, Gramkow then took out a gun and shot the men, killing Phillip Luster and injuring another man, Michael Scott.

Gramkow’s attorney said Gramkow acted in self-defense. Gramkow’s case is now undergoing a pre-sentence investigation. So far, Gramkow’s sentencing has not been scheduled.

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