Mankato Murder Highlights Why Armed Citizens Carry: Prohibited Felon Broke Into Home, Killed Woman’s New Boyfriend, Beat Her in Bathtub

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

MANKATO, MN — A jealous ex-boyfriend with a violent criminal history broke into a Mankato woman’s townhome Sunday afternoon, fatally shot her new boyfriend, and then beat her so severely that he forced her into the bathtub to bleed out, prosecutors say. He was a prohibited person who never should have had a gun in the first place.

According to the Mankato Department of Public Safety, officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:36 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026, after a caller reported hearing what sounded like gunshots in a neighboring residence on Castle Pines Drive. Officers approached an open door at 700 Castle Pines Drive and heard what they believed to be another gunshot from inside. They entered immediately and apprehended the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Joseph David Bulfer of Fairmont, Minnesota.

Inside the bedroom, officers found 52-year-old Mankato resident Joshua Robert Downey deceased with multiple gunshot wounds. In a bathroom they located 37-year-old Rosalyn Marie Rode, who was transported to Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato for treatment.

The Mankato Department of Public Safety was assisted at the scene by the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Lake Crystal Police Department, North Mankato Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The Criminal Complaint

According to CBS News, the criminal complaint provides a chilling account of what happened inside the home. Rode told investigators that she and Bulfer had briefly dated before she broke up with him in December. She then started dating Downey, and she told investigators Bulfer “could not handle that.”

CBS News reported that Rode and Downey were watching a movie together when Rode heard the door open and someone running up the stairs. Bulfer allegedly opened the bedroom door and shot Downey multiple times. Investigators say evidence shows he fired at least 20 rounds in the bedroom.

According to the criminal complaint cited by CBS News, Bulfer then forced Rode into the bathtub “so he could drain her blood.” She managed to call 911 while in the tub. The dispatcher overheard a man, later identified as Bulfer, tell her, “You just caused [a man] to die” and “Do you want me to pull the trigger?”

When officers reached the upstairs hallway, Bulfer walked toward them with his hands up. He told them one victim was in the bathroom and another “is f***ing dead,” before saying, “I apologize for the inconvenience. Didn’t mean to get you out here today.”

Bulfer Was a Prohibited Person

This is where the story becomes a clear case study for armed citizens. Bulfer’s criminal history spans decades. According to court records, he has prior convictions for threats of violence, first-degree burglary, and domestic assault by strangulation. CBS News also reported additional convictions for violating orders for protection, property damage, and disorderly conduct.

Bulfer is now charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, three counts of first-degree burglary, and a firearms possession violation. That last charge tells the story. Under federal and Minnesota law, a person with felony convictions and convictions for domestic assault by strangulation cannot legally possess a firearm. Bulfer was prohibited. He had one anyway.

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Why This Is a Case for Armed Self-Defense

Two unarmed people were watching a movie together in their own home on a Sunday afternoon. A man who had no legal right to possess a gun forced his way inside and used one anyway. One of those people did not survive. The other survived only because she was able to call 911 from a bathtub while her attacker beat her.

This is the answer to anyone who argues that strict gun control laws keep dangerous people from getting guns. Bulfer was already prohibited. Multiple convictions, including violent ones, already barred him from possession. None of that stopped him.

It is also the answer to anyone who argues that armed citizens are unnecessary because police will arrive in time. Officers responded to this scene quickly and entered without hesitation. They are the reason Rosalyn Rode is alive today. But the murder of Joshua Downey happened before they could get there. That is the reality of violent crime. The window of opportunity for self-defense closes in seconds, and law enforcement, no matter how dedicated, often arrives to investigate rather than intervene.

The Second Amendment is a fundamental civil right that exists precisely for moments like this one. The right of a law-abiding adult to be armed and prepared in their own home is not theoretical. It is the difference between being a victim and being able to fight back.

The Domestic Violence Pattern

The pattern in this case is one that armed citizens, advocates, and law enforcement have warned about for years. The most dangerous moment for a victim of an abusive relationship is often the moment they leave. Rode broke off her relationship with Bulfer in December. She started dating someone new. He could not accept that, and he came for her with a gun.

For people in similar situations, the takeaway is direct. If you have left an abusive or controlling relationship, the threat does not always end at the door. Building a serious self-defense plan is a legitimate response to a real risk. That includes situational awareness, home security, communication with people you trust, and, for those who choose it, the lawful means to defend yourself with a firearm.

Mindset matters as much as gear. Being mentally prepared for the possibility that an estranged partner might escalate to violence is the foundation. Training and the right tools come next.