WAHPETON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – An initial court appearance for Shannon Brandt was held Thursday morning virtually through the Richland County Courthouse in Wahpeton.

Brandt, 41, was arrested after police say he fatally hit 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson with an SUV on Sept. 18 during the early morning hours. After investigation, he was charged with murder, a class AA felony.

Judge Bradley Cruff asked Brandt’s attorney Mark Freise if an additional reading of the charges was needed.

Brandt was initially charged with vehicular homicide in the case but the charge was upgraded after further investigation by the state patrol. He is currently being held on $1 million bond at the Stutsman County Correctional Center.

No future court date has been set.