Man named 'No Name Given Happy' accused of fatally stabbing victim after being kicked out of bar
01/07/2025 2:00 pm PST
WINDOM, Minn. (TCN) -- A 26-year-old San Diego man who was identified as "No Name Given Happy" was arrested for allegedly stabbing someone when he was kicked out of a small-town bar on New Year’s Eve.
According to the Windom Police Department, on Dec. 31 at approximately 11:47 p.m., officers responded to a stabbing call at the Phat Pheasant Pub and found three men with apparent knife wounds. A 30-year-old victim, who police identified as Benjamin Matter, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Police said Happy went to a hospital for minor injuries before being booked into the Cottonwood County Jail. A 31-year-old man and another 30-year-old man were treated for minor injuries.
Court records cited by KMSP-TV say Happy was at the bar that evening playing pool with other patrons. Staff told police that Happy was "being cocky" and "being mouthy and pushing things," even though the other people were trying to calm him down. Happy allegedly threatened another bar goer that he would take out a gun.
Several people inside the bar, including Matter and the other victims, kicked Happy out of the bar. Happy allegedly went to a semitruck, picked up a knife, and went back to the bar. Matter reportedly tried to stop Happy before the fatal stabbing. Witnesses tackled Happy to the ground and held him until police arrived.
KMSP reports the name George Samuel is listed as one of Happy’s aliases. Happy was booked into the Cottonwood County Jail on charges of second-degree murder with intent, second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony, second-degree assault, and threats of violence. Jail records show his bond was set at $750,000.
MORE: