New Year’s Eve Tragedy Strikes Minnesota Bar: Unique Alias Suspect Charged in Fatal Stabbing Incident

WINDOM, MN – A New Year’s Eve celebration turned tragic at a southwestern Minnesota pub when a man fatally stabbed a fellow patron during a heated argument, authorities said Sunday. The incident occurred at the Phat Pheasant Pub in Windom, roughly 140 miles away from Minneapolis, as people gathered to ring in the new year.

Local police have charged a man, known under the peculiar alias “No Name Given Happy,” with second-degree murder among other accusations following the altercation. According to witnesses, the suspect, who introduced tension and hostility among a group of customers, abruptly altered the festive atmosphere with his unruly behavior.

Tensions escalated rapidly when the accused stepped outside momentarily and purportedly made threatening remarks about possessing a weapon. Upon his return, several patrons demanded his departure from the venue, heightening the palpable unease.

The confrontation reached its peak when Happy allegedly re-entered the pub, this time armed with a sizable knife and attacked 30-year-old Ben Matter as he tried to escort the agitated man out. Police reports indicate that Matter suffered multiple stab wounds during the incident, leading to his collapse on the scene.

Efforts by pub-goers to disarm the attacker and detain him until law enforcement arrived undoubtedly prevented further violence. Amid the chaos, a witness claimed she overheard Happy professing his innocence while simultaneously issuing threats.

Paramedics quickly responded, but despite their attempts, Matter, who sustained critical injuries to his upper body, was declared dead after arriving at a hospital. A second individual received treatment for injuries connected to the incident and was later released.

Further investigations revealed a bloody hunting knife at the site and, upon searching Happy’s vehicle—an out-of-state semi-truck—a California commercial driver’s license under the alias “George Samuel” was found.

Originally from San Diego, the man primarily known as Happy is now being held at Cottonwood County Jail. His bail has been set at $750,000 pending trial.

In the aftermath of this violent outbreak, the community has rallied around the victim’s family. Friends and relatives of Matter have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to alleviate their sudden financial strain and honor his memory. Described by loved ones as a generous father of two, Matter’s passing is mourned by all who knew him, leaving an irreplaceable void in their lives.

The tragic event casts a shadow over the local community, reminding residents and officials of the need for continued vigilance and safety measures in public venues to prevent such senseless acts of violence in the future.