The murder took place on December 17, 2020 in the western Iowa town of Pisgah, a few miles east of I-29 in Hamilton County.
It all started in Moorhead, Iowa, about eight miles from Pisgah, according to the criminal complaint.NBC News reported that Kristofer Erlbacher, 29 (pictured above), was eating and drinking with his friend Caleb Solberg, 30, at a bar in Moorhead.Erlbacher added mayonnaise to Solberg’s food, and the two got into an argument.
After the fight, Erbach and another man, Sean Johnson, drove to Pisgah (pictured below).On the way, Erlbacher took two pictures of Solberg’s half-brother Craig Pryor.During the second call, Erlbacher threatened the lives of Pryor and Solberg.
Worried about what was going on, Prior drove to Pisgah.When he pulled over, Johnson warned him that Erbacher was in a restaurant and Pryor had parked nearby.Caleb Solberg arrived soon after, and he and Johnson had a brief argument.Afterwards, Erbacher got out and got into his car, hitting Pryor’s car.When Pryor got out to check the damage, Erlbacher crashed a second time and Pryor was hit by his own car.After Erlbacher left, Pryor drove to safety in an alley.
Erlbacher continued to drive around Pisgah, causing property damage, as well as damage to his own vehicle.Pryor then drove home and saw his half-brothers Solberg and Johnson standing next to a parked vehicle.
Shortly after Pryor drove away, Erbacher returned and hit Caleb Soberg with his car.Solberg was shot multiple times, and according to the criminal complaint, “Erbach continued to drive the body of Caleb Solberg, obstructing anyone from providing assistance.”
Erlbacher then called Pryor and told him his brother was dead and he should come back.After leaving the scene with his vehicle inoperable, Erlbacher called his father for help.After picking up his son, Mark Elbacher returned Christopher to the scene of his arrest.
Last month, Christopher Erbach of Woodbine, Iowa, was convicted of first-degree murder following a substitute trial.Earlier this week, Magistrate Judge Greg Stinsland sentenced him to life in prison.
Post time: Jun-07-2022
