Delbert Huber, the man who shot and killed St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West teacher Timothy Larson in an argument over money back in 2011, has died in prison.
Multiple media outlets reported the elder Huber’s death around 3 p.m. Thursday, June 12, 2014. No cause has been listed.
Huber, who was 83, died Wednesday night in custody in the state prison in Faribault. He had recently done a series of in-prison interviews with Twin Cities television networks after his name resurfaced as a possible suspect in the disappearance of Jacob Wetterling, the highest profile missing persons case Minnesota has ever seen.
The shooting, which occurred on Oct. 8, shocked the St. Michael-Albertville community. Larson joined the staff at St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West when it transitioned to a grade 5 to 8 building, back in 2009.
According to charges filed in Kandiyohi County Court in October 2011:
Friday night, Tim Larson asked Timothy Huber to leave Tim’s father’s property and not to return until Monday, when Larson would be finished with a weekend duck hunt.
Prior to leaving, Larson told Timothy Huber to move hay-bailing equipment that was on the property to a neighbor’s. Huber called for help, asking his father to come assist, something that angered both Huber men. Larson told the men he was “in charge” while his father was at a wedding, and wanted the bailing to wait until Monday.
Instead, the Hubers came back Saturday, stating Larson stole $50 from Tim Huber and tractor parts from both men.
Later that morning, as Tim Huber did chores in the yard and tended to animals in a barn, Delbert Huber began to shout at Larson, retrieved a 303 Enfield rifle, and shot Larson in the chest, killing him.
The complaint continues:
The two Huber men drove back to the Larson farm Saturday morning, despite instructions from Larson to put off their chores until Monday.
The elder Huber believed Larson—who confronted the two men on his arrival at the farm Friday night to find out why they were there—took money and valuable tools from them.
“We had to defend ourselves,” he said to investigators after his arrest, adding that he was “tired of their stuff getting busted up.”
But investigators did not find anything to confirm Larson had taken money or tools.
As Timothy Huber did chores 7 a.m. Saturday, Larson arrived back at the farm. According to the older Huber, he and Larson began arguing, both outside of their vehicles, located in the farmyard.
The account continues that Delbert Huber told authorities he went to his son’s car and grabbed the rifle.
“I thought I could go and grab the rifle and make him admit he took the money and get the money back,” Delbert told authorities. “I thought I could scare him and get him to give the money back.”
Delbert then “chambered a round” in the rifle and pointed the rifle at the teacher. Delbert Huber said Larson was “dead right away” and didn’t move from where he lay.
Huber pleaded guilty to the shooting in August 2012.
Since his death, the St. Michael-Albertville community has remembered Larson with a “Fire Up 5K” each year, raising money for his sons’ future education and for family expenses.
The Larson family has filed a civil suit for wrongful death against Delbert and Tim Huber. Those proceedings remain in a holding pattern to date.