SPICER -- A feud between rural Spicer neighbors took a grim twist Tuesday even-ing when a Spicer man allegedly tried to run over his neighbors.
A long-running feud has been maintained through stubborn re-fusal to cooperate and actions by both neighbors, court records show. But Tuesday's alleged behavior escalated the dispute to a new level; endangering the lives of two people and leaving another facing felony charges.
Donald Bruce Schrupp, 63, is facing a felony charge of second-degree assault after Tuesday's incident. He appeared in court Wednesday. He was later released from jail after posting $4,000 cash for conditional release.
The assault charge was filed after Schrupp allegedly sped his vehicle toward Harry and Karen Johanson, forcing them to move quickly or be hit. Schrupp and the Johansons share a common driveway along the 16000 block 92nd Street Northeast.
The Johansons have had a restraining order against Schrupp since December 2005. However, the restraining order allows for Schrupp to use the driveway to get to and from his house.
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On Tuesday, Harry Johanson had parked his truck in the driveway to load some firewood. Schrupp allegedly pulled into the driveway from the road and stopped behind Harry's truck. He then sped around the truck almost running over Harry and Karen Johanson, the complaint states.
Schrupp was released conditionally and was ordered to stay away from the Johansons. However, Schrupp has several pending cases for violating restraining orders between himself and the Johansons.
Schrupp has three prior misdemeanor charges for violating restraining orders or orders for protection. He now faces a fourth restraining order violation for Tuesday's incident, but this time on a felony level. He has also been charged with trespass, disorderly conduct harassment/stalking and criminal damage to property for past incidents with the Johansons.
Although the charges have been filed, Shrupp has yet to be convicted.
Making the situation even more bizarre is the fact that the Johansons have many of Schrupp's outbursts on video. According to court documents, they tape Schrupp almost daily because of his unusual actions.
But the video has also prompted Schrupp to act more outrageous.
In October of 2005, Kandiyohi County sheriff's deputies were called to the Johansons' home after Schrupp reportedly set up a video camera in front of their home. Schrupp also frequently walked by the house shouting obscenities and pointing his finger like a faux gun, the complaint states.
As a result, Schrupp was cited for trespassing and disorderly conduct by deputies and told he could only use the driveway to drive to and from his house.
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But the bad blood continued.
In July, deputies were again called to the Johansons' home. Deputies found Schrupp parked in his van in front of their home holding up a bright orange sign that said "can't see me now." He was arrested, but was in trouble with the law again a month later when he allegedly refused to move his van for a vehicle leaving the Johansons' home. Both instances resulted in charges for violating a restraining order.
Despite intervention by law enforcement, Schrupp stated he would not end the feud because Harry Johanson started it. Schrupp has also accused Johanson of pointing a gun at him and maintains that both the Johansons carry concealed weapons.
Schrupp is currently facing seven charges from previous quarrels with the Johansons, including the two felonies from Tuesday's incident. He is scheduled to appear in court again Jan. 8.
