A Holdingford man was charged Tuesday with second degree attempted murder and first degree assault in Stearns County District Court.

67-year-old Edwin Darvis Vail was arraigned before Judge Mary Mahler. The charges stem from the early hours of Saturday, September 13 when Stearns County deputies were called to 200 3rd Street in Holdingford for a reported shooting. The 911 call was made by Vail, who had admitted he had shot a man multiple times outside of his home.

According to the investigators, when authorities arrived on the scene they noticed Vail sitting in a chair outside of his house holding a gun, which investigators identified as a .22 caliber revolver.

The victim was lying nearby with gunshot wounds to the chest, abdomen, hand, and face. The victim told deputies that Vail had shot him point-blank, and that he never saw the revolver before he was shot. The victim was treated at the scene then flown to North Memorial Hospital where he has since undergone multiple major surgeries and is facing a lengthy recovery. The victim currently remains hospitalized and is unable to speak with authorities.

Investigators have spoken to a woman who lives near Vail who saw him and the victim at Vail’s home on multiple occasions. Investigators add she heard Vail complain repeatedly about how he was upset with the victim because he allegedly owed him money.

Judge Mahler charged Vail with First Degree Assault, and Second Degree Attempted Murder. Vail is currently in Stearns County Jail with his bail set at $2 million without conditions, or $1 million with conditions.