A Minnesota man named David Bruce DeLong is accused of planning and carrying out the brutal attack on a co-worker with a sledgehammer, all because he allegedly didn't like her.
That's according to prosecutors who outlined the horrific attack in graphic detail in a criminal complaint. DeLong was captured on surveillance video "forcefully swinging" a sledgehammer that he grabbed from victim Amber Czech's work station, according to the complaint.
Czech, 20, was from Hutchinson, Minnesota, WCNC reported. DeLong worked with Czech at Advanced Process Technologies in Cokato, Minnesota. That's a "food and dairy processing facility," according to CBS News.
According to CBS News, Czech's family described her as "an amazing welder, great at her job, and loved going to work every day. They also want to raise awareness of workplace violence."
A GoFundMe page says Czech "was a hardworking welder who took great pride in her craft and dreamed of building a bright future through her work. Her witty personality, positive attitude, and beautiful smile touched everyone who knew her."
“I filed a criminal complaint in Wright County District Court this morning charging David Bruce DeLong, with 2nd degree intentional murder for the tragic murder of an adult female that occurred at a business in Cokato on November 11, 2025," prosecutor Brian Lutes wrote in a November 12 press release.
"The defendant and victim were co-workers at the business," Lutes added. "I will evaluate this case for a possible charge of 1st degree premeditated murder which requires convening a grand jury.”
The criminal complaint makes the following accusations against David DeLong:
On November 11, 2025, at 6 a.m. Wright County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Thompson "responded to a 911 call for an injured adult female at Advanced Process Technologies located at 165 Swendra Boulevard NE in Cokato, Wright County, Minnesota."
Investigation revealed that the woman, later identified as Czech by news outlets, "was an employee of Advanced Process Technologies...The reporting party said the victim had major head trauma with significant blood loss. Investigation revealed the victim sustained a blow to the head."
According to the complaint, "A bloody sledgehammer was observed on the floor proximate to the victim...Despite medical care received by the victim, the victim died because of blunt force trauma to her head and corresponding blood loss."
A deputy subsequently identified "a suspect in the attack on the victim as David Bruce Delong. The defendant is an employee of Advanced Process Technologies," the complaint adds.
It says that DeLong told a witness something to the effect of, “I hit her with your hammer, she is by your toolbox, she is gone," the complaint alleges.
Surveillance video from the company showed DeLong "leaving his workstation and walking to the victim’s workstation. The defendant is wearing gloves when this occurs," the complaint says.
"The defendant is observed grabbing a sledgehammer from the victim’s workstation. The video shows the defendant swinging the sledgehammer at the victim who is out of the view of the camera," it adds. "The defendant’s first swing of the sledgehammer is in a horizontal movement consistent with the victim standing. The video surveillance captures the defendant forcefully swinging the sledgehammer four additional times in a downward fashion consistent with the victim being on the ground."
The victim "was found on the cement floor of the building near her workstation with very significant head trauma and substantial blood loss," the complaint says.
"It appears from the investigation that the defendant struck the victim with the sledgehammer when she was standing and struck the victim multiple times with the sledgehammer after the victim fell to the ground," it adds.
"The defendant bludgeoned the victim to death with multiple blows to the victim’s head with the sledgehammer," continued the complaint.
"The defendant provided a statement to law enforcement after being advised of his rights, in which he confessed to killing the victim. The defendant said he intended to kill the victim," the complaint alleges. "The defendant admitted not liking the victim. The defendant said he has been planning to kill the victim for some time."
The company released a statement to CBS News. "We are heartbroken by yesterday's tragedy, and our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends in this terrible moment," it says. "We are also making sure our employees have the support they need and working closely with law enforcement as they continue their investigation. Production at the facility has been paused for the remainder of the week, and administrative staff are working remotely."
The company also posted a statement on its Facebook page. "As some in our community know, one of our facilities was the site of a tragic event that resulted in the death of one of our coworkers. Our hearts are with their family, friends and all who are grieving this loss. We are working closely with law enforcement as they investigate this event and focused on supporting our employees and the victim’s family," it reads.