(Amber Czech Facebook image)
More information is developing surrounding a brutal attack at a workplace in Cokato this week that left a young woman dead.
You’ll remember that around 6 AM Tuesday, a 9-1-1 call came in from Advanced Process Technologies, a metal fabrication manufacturing company in Cokato. The caller notified authorities that a female worker had been found at her workstation with significant head trauma.
Wright County Sheriff’s Deputies and first responders with the Cokato Ambulance arrived on the scene, and lifesaving measures were attempted, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. That victim has now been identified by numerous sources as 20-year-old Amber Czech of Hutchinson. Czech is reported to have been a welder at APT.
Authorities say a male co-worker at the company, 40-year-old David Bruce Delong of Watkins was arrested without incident at the scene. Officials say Delong allegedly struck Amber Czech multiple times with a sledgehammer. Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes released information from the criminal complaint that indicates that after he was read his rights, Delong told investigators that he had killed the young woman, admitted he did not like her, and that he had been planning to kill her for some time.
(David Bruce Delong – image: Wright County Sheriff’s Office)
The criminal complaint also states that Sheriff’s Department detectives reviewed surveillance video which allegedly shows the incident.
County Attorney Lutes said in a statement Wednesday that Delong has been charged with 2nd degree intentional murder, and that possible 1st degree murder charges could be forthcoming.
Delong remains in custody as the investigation continues. His next court appearance has been set for November 24th.
Work has reportedly been halted for the week at Advance Process Technologies. The company said in a statement Wednesday that it is heartbroken, and that their thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends. The company said it is also ensuring that employees get any support they need in coming to terms with the incident. APT says it is working closely with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
