Shakopee Man Charged After Otter Tail Lake Attack, Children Present
A 42 year old Shakopee man was charged in Otter Tail County District Court after an alleged assault at Otter Tail Lake on August 30 that left a relative fearing she would die and children witnessing the incident. The charges underscore concerns about public safety at local lakes and the community impacts of domestic violence.
Court documents and an Otter Tail County news release say Franklin M. Dickinson, 42, of Shakopee was charged on December 8, 2025 in Otter Tail County District Court with attempted second degree murder, two counts of felony domestic assault by strangulation and one count of misdemeanor domestic assault. The complaint ties the charges to an incident on August 30 at Otter Tail Lake that authorities disclosed in December.
According to the complaint, Dickinson repeatedly pushed a female relative under water in the presence of children. The victim described blacking out and fearing she would die. A second relative who intervened was allegedly physically choked. After the alleged attack Dickinson remained in the water naked, made incoherent statements, and reportedly said he had consumed a THC seltzer. When deputies arrived, the complaint alleges he asked them, "Where is her body?"
Local law enforcement arrested Dickinson following the incident and the filing of the complaint. The case will proceed through Otter Tail County District Court, where formal arraignment and pretrial steps are expected to follow. The charges are serious and will be addressed through the criminal justice process, with evidence and witness testimony to be considered in court.
For residents, the allegations raise immediate concerns about safety at lakes that are central to Otter Tail County life. Incidents that occur in recreational settings, especially when children witness violence, affect the broader community sense of security and the wellbeing of families. Neighbors and lake users who witnessed the event may be contacted as the case moves forward, and anyone with information relevant to the investigation is urged to share it with law enforcement.
The complaint frames the episode as an extreme example of alleged domestic violence spilling into a public space. As authorities pursue the charges in county court, residents will be watching how the legal system handles alleged threats to personal safety and how local policing and community supports respond to prevent similar incidents.
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