Man Charged After Allegedly Firing Gun During Lakeville Incident
Published: October 7, 2026
LAKEVILLE, MN: An 80-year-old man has been charged with a felony after prosecutors allege he fired a handgun into the ceiling of a garage during a September weapons incident before later physically resisting officers who were attempting to take him into custody.
Terry James McQueary, 80, was charged Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in Dakota County District Court with felony reckless discharge of a firearm within a municipality and gross misdemeanor obstructing legal process involving force, violence or the threat of force. The charges provide new details about a September 20th** incident previously covered by Limitless Media News as a developing situation near Upper 183rd Street and Everest Path.
** The complaint lists the incident date as September 20, 2026, but it actually occurred on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Limitless Media Previously Reported on Incident
Limitless Media News reported shortly after 5 p.m. on September 19th, 2026, that Farmington Police, Lakeville Police, and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office had responded to the area of Upper 183rd Street and Everest Path for what was initially reported as a mental health incident that may have involved a weapon.
At the time, Limitless Media reported that law enforcement eventually entered the residence and confirmed the individual was not injured. Allina Health medics were called to the scene, and they took the individual to a local facility for further evaluation. Police remained at the scene until about 6:55 p.m. that evening while the investigation continued. Authorities said at the time that there was no threat to the public and that the incident appeared to be isolated.
The criminal complaint filed more than two weeks later now provides additional details about what prosecutors allege occurred before and during the law enforcement response.
Officers Respond to Report of Gunshot
According to the criminal complaint, numerous officers from the Farmington and Lakeville police departments were dispatched to a residence on Everest Path in response to a weapons call. Authorities were told McQueary and his wife had been involved in an argument before McQueary went into the couple’s garage. The woman subsequently reported hearing a gunshot coming from the garage, according to prosecutors.
When officers entered the garage, they allegedly discovered multiple holes in the ceiling that investigators said were consistent with .44-caliber rounds. Officers also found a cartridge lodged in the ceiling. Police additionally located a loaded .45-caliber revolver in the garage, according to the complaint. Prosecutors allege two unspent cartridges inside the revolver matched the blue cartridge recovered from the ceiling.
Investigators allege McQueary went into the garage following the argument and fired the handgun into the ceiling. No injuries resulting from the alleged gunfire are identified in the criminal complaint.
Dakota County Crisis Team Makes Contact
According to the complaint, responding officers initially could not contact McQueary inside the residence. Members of the Dakota County Crisis Team eventually established contact with McQueary and convinced him to allow officers into the home. The complaint notes that McQueary uses a power wheelchair.
Once inside, officers spoke with McQueary for more than 30 minutes and repeatedly explained that he was going to be placed on a mental health hold, according to prosecutors. The complaint alleges McQueary was uncooperative and hostile toward officers during the encounter. Prosecutors allege McQueary struck at officers multiple times as they attempted to gain control of his wheelchair and moved the wheelchair away from officers and down a hallway in an attempt to avoid them.
McQueary also allegedly attempted to bite officers multiple times. Officers eventually decided to place McQueary in handcuffs because of his alleged noncompliance and repeated attempts to bite them, according to the complaint. Prosecutors allege McQueary physically resisted officers as they attempted to place him in handcuffs and continued resisting after the handcuffs were applied. The complaint states that the encounter resulted in skin tears and bleeding on McQueary’s arms.
Officers eventually removed McQueary from the residence.
Felony and Gross Misdemeanor Charges Filed
The Dakota County Attorney’s Office has charged McQueary with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm within a municipality, a felony under Minnesota law. The charge carries a maximum potential sentence of two years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
McQueary is also charged with gross misdemeanor obstructing legal process involving force, violence, or the threat of force. That charge carries a maximum potential sentence of one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
The case was filed October 7th, 2026, in Dakota County District Court. The complaint was filed by summons.
The charges contained in a criminal complaint are allegations. McQueary is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Written by: Will Wight
