Murder suspect arrested

Police have charged Jason Lee Horner, 38, in the shooting and killing of Sabrina Lee Schnoor, 25, of Elysian, who was found dead under the I-35 overpass in Owatonna the night of Tuesday, May 30. According to police reports, she died of a gunshot wound in what was believed to be a “targeted attack.”

Horner was identified Friday, June 2, and taken into custody Sunday morning from an apartment building in Waseca. Horner has been booked into the Steele County Jail on charges of suspicion of second-degree murder with intent (not premeditated). Because he was convicted of a 2018 felony burglary in Mower County, Horner is also ineligible to possess a firearm, and so he has also been charged with illegal possession of one.His criminal history includes convictions of domestic assault and aiding and abetting second-degree assault. 

Stacia Schnoor, mother of Sabrina Schnoor, issued a statement early Saturday, June 3. It reads:

“First our family wants to thank all of the people who have reached out to us. Thank you for the outpour of love, kindness, and prayers.

“We also want to thank the Owatonna police department and all involved in the investigation. You have been working so hard and keeping in touch with us on everything. We appreciate that you are taking it slow and doing everything right to catch this monster and help us bring him to justice.

“Sabrina was a beautiful young lady. Her heart was amazing. She had a pure soul and innocence that made her see only the good and best in people. She would quickly put herself out just to help anyone. She couldn't stand to see anyone hurt. She loved her son so very much. He filled her heart with joy. He was on her mind at all times. The whole world is now a darker, sadder place without her.

“Lastly, we hope that everyone (especially the media) will continue to respect my daughter and our family’s privacy.  Allow investigators to do their job. They will release information when it is appropriate. Our family will release a more public statement when it is appropriate. If anyone wants to do anything to help, prayers are best. Hug your loved ones.  Or perhaps go to where she was found. Clean that ugly place up and leave something beautiful for her. This was the last thing she saw. Remove the ugly there and make it beautiful for her.”

Owatonna police are leading the investigation with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Steele County Coroner's Office, and the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office. The department requests that anyone with information about the incident to call 507-444-3800, or detective Christian Berg at 507-774-7220.