MANKATO — A Blue Earth County grand jury has indicted a Fairmont man on 13 felony counts in connection with the April assault of his former partner and killing of her new companion in Mankato.
Joseph David Bulfer, 44, was indicted Thursday on three counts each of first-degree murder and attempted murder, second-degree murder and attempted murder, first- and second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree burglary and illegal possession of a firearm.
The additional counts are related to the shooting death of Joshua Robert Downey, 52, and the assault of Rosalyn Marie Rode, 37, both of Mankato, on April 26. Bulfer entered a residence on Castle Pines Drive, killed Downey and assaulted Rode while intending to murder her, according to the criminal complaint filed in Blue Earth County District Court.
Bulfer was initially charged with eight felony counts, including second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, multiple counts of first-degree assault, illegal possession of a firearm and three counts of first-degree burglary.
The criminal complaint alleges Bulfer forced his way into the residence while Downey and Rode were watching a movie before opening a bedroom door and firing multiple rounds at Downey. Investigators recovered about 20 spent shell casings and a rifle believed to have been used in the shooting, according to the complaint.
Downey reportedly died from multiple gunshot wounds. The complaint also alleges Bulfer then assaulted Rode, striking her repeatedly with the rifle and his hands before forcing her into a bathroom, where he threatened to kill her and fired additional rounds into the floor and wall.
Court documents state Rode was able to call 911 while in the bathroom. Officers entered the residence after arriving, took Bulfer into custody and found Rode injured and Downey dead, according to the complaint.
A relationship between Bulfer and Rode reportedly ended in December 2025 and Rode had since begun a relationship with Downey. It also states Bulfer has prior felony convictions, including threats of violence, first-degree burglary and domestic assault by strangulation.