Suspect in Cold Spring slaying says he’s innocent

Published 2:32 pm Tuesday, December 4, 2012

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) — The man arrested in the slaying of a Minnesota police officer says he was sleeping at the time and authorities have the wrong man.

Ryan Michael Larson told the St. Cloud Times he is innocent in the death of Cold Spring police Officer Tom Decker.

Decker was shot Thursday night near a Cold Spring bar in what officials called an ambush. Police arrested Larson about an hour later.

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Larson told the Times authorities have no evidence against him. He spoke to the newspaper Sunday, two days before he was released without being charged. Authorities said they didn’t have enough evidence to file charges at this time, but the investigation continues.

It’s not immediately clear if Larson has an attorney. The Associated Press’ attempts to reach him have been unsuccessful.