The motive for Saturday's bizarre stabbing incident on the Apple River is still unclear. However, the 52-year-old suspect accused of fatally stabbing a teenager and seriously wounding four others has now been formally charged.
Nicolae Miu of Prior Lake appeared by video in a St. Croix County, Wisconsin courtroom this afternoon.
While it isn't known what caused Miu to allegedly attack the group, his lawyer shared on Monday that he wasn't at the river looking for trouble.
"Mr. Miu was, according to the allegations, there with his wife and some friends," his attorney said. "They were floating down the river, and he was momentarily separated from them for the purpose of looking for a lost cell phone."
Miu's attorney went on to say that the alleged attack was not premeditated but instead a chance encounter.
A criminal complaint describes a video of an escalating confrontation between Miu and a group of young people, where Miu allegedly pulls a knife out of his pocket and begins lashing out.
Isaac Schuman, 17, of Stillwater, was the only victim killed, and four others were seriously injured and hospitalized. Two of whom remain hospitalized.
Miu was charged with one count of first-degree intentional homicide and four additional counts of attempted first-degree homicide.
Bail for Miu was set at $1 million, and he has been ordered to appear in court again on Aug. 12.
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