Man involved in La Crosse Menards parking lot fight that led to death of 79-year-old now charged with homicide

He’s now being charged with first-degree homicide, after that fight in the La Crosse Menards parking lot that led to the death of a 79-year-old.

Matthew Kinstler was jailed Tuesday night without bond in La Crosse County. The altercation around 2:20 p.m. Friday was with 79-year-old Russell Paulson, who police reported Monday had died at Mayo Clinic Health System.

The fight between the two was apparently over Paulson parking too close to the 50-year-old Kinstler’s vehicle and possibly hitting it.

A verbal argument quickly led to a physical altercation. Paulson was sent to Mayo with injuries sustained from the fight.

Kinstler, a La Crosse native, was initially arrested for substantial battery and disorderly conduct.