A Minnesota man, David Bruce Delong, 40, has been arrested and charged with second-degree intentional murder following a brutal attack on his 20-year-old co-worker, Amber Czech. The incident occurred at Advanced Process Technologies in Cokato, where Delong allegedly used a sledgehammer to kill Czech, according to the Wright County Attorney’s Office.
Surveillance footage from the food and dairy machinery plant reportedly showed Delong leaving his workstation, approaching Czech, and then striking her with a sledgehammer. The unsuspecting victim, a welder by profession, fell to the floor as Delong continued to strike her multiple times, as per court documents.
Following the attack, Delong allegedly informed another employee about his actions, stating, “I hit her with your hammer, she is by your toolbox, she is gone.” The authorities discovered the bloodied weapon next to Czech, who succumbed to her injuries at the scene due to blunt force trauma and blood loss.
Court documents revealed that Delong admitted to disliking Czech and had been planning to kill her for some time. Czech, a resident of Hutchinson, was remembered by her father as a hardworking and outgoing individual who took pride in her work as a welder. She had developed a passion for welding in high school and graduated from Alexandria Technical & Community College in 2024 after completing a 10-month welding technology program.
In the wake of the incident, Advanced Process Technologies announced that production would be halted for the rest of the week, with administrative staff working remotely as the police investigation continues. The company released a statement expressing their condolences and pledging their cooperation with law enforcement.
Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes has indicated plans to present a first-degree premeditated murder charge to a grand jury. Delong remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on November 24.