Bond has been set for the Minot man charged with manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon in connection to an October 2023 shooting.

Ian W. Abrahamson, 23, Minot, made his initial appearance in North Central District Court before Judge Richard Hagar on Tuesday. Abrahamson had been interviewed multiple times by law enforcement following the shooting, during which he claimed to have shot victim Davin Eby Smith, 34, Minot, in self defense.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Abrahamson had given conflicting statements to investigators regarding the events leading up to the shooting until he was later confronted with evidence and witness testimony.

Abrahamson had initially told investigators he was in the garage of his home in northwest Minot on Oct. 9 when Smith approached him to talk and refused to leave. Abrahamson initially denied he was aware Smith had been punched in the face but eventually allegedly admitted to striking him with his Smith and Wesson .40-caliber handgun, causing a laceration over one eye.

Court documents indicate Smith left the garage and walked to his own residence before returning with a friend. Abrahamson told investigators he was in his home at the time and heard yelling and pounding noises outside the residence.

When the noise subsided, Abrahamson said he exited the residence and observed Smith approaching him in what he described as an aggressive manner. Abrahamson told investigators he fired his weapon when Smith was about a foot away, firing a single shot that struck him in the abdomen.

Abrahamson was not arrested at the time, and Minot Police informed the public the investigation was ongoing. Minot Police said in a release that the investigation had been handed over to the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office due to a conflict of interest at the Ward County State’s Attorney’s Office, with Assistant Attorney General Jeremy Ensrud taking over to prosecute the case.

At the hearing on Tuesday, Ensrud shared a joint bond recommendation with Abrahamson’s attorney, Ashley Gulke, of $100,000, post 10%. Ensrud asked for standard bond conditions, including requirements that Abrahamson not possess a firearm and ammunition and that he submit to a 24/7 sobriety program administered through a drug patch. Ensrud supported his request to the court by saying that it was likely that Abrahamson’s marijuana use was a contributing factor to the case. Gulke agreed to the drug patch requirement temporarily until she has a chance to review it with her client.

Hagar ordered a bond of $100,000 cash or corporate surety, or a cash bond of $10,000, and the drug patch.

Abrahamson faces up to 10 years in prison for the manslaughter charge, a Class B felony, and five years in prison for the aggravated assault charge, a Class C felony. Class B felonies carry a minimum mandatory sentence of four years, and Class C felonies two years. Abrahamson’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 15.