Justin Esparza, 43, was found fatally shot inside his home in the 200 block of 2nd Street NW in Hallock, Minnesota, on March 13, 2025. Deputies discovered him partially on a couch and the floor with significant blood around his head; a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun lay on the couch and a single casing was on the floor. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Kittson County Sheriff’s Office responded after receiving a call about 1:30 p.m. from the mother of 23-year-old Jordan Hanson, who reportedly confessed to shooting a man in the head and was in possession of Esparza’s vehicle and his dog. Hanson, described by her family as delusional and erratic from drug use, was arrested and later charged with second- and third-degree murder. A witness said he had been smoking meth with Esparza and Hanson and saw Hanson shoot Esparza.

Esparza had moved to the area to build ties with his father and half-brother and worked in potato fields and as a beekeeper. Does anyone in the Hallock or Kennedy area have information about Esparza, Hanson, or the events that day?