St. Paul Man Charged in Keller Regional Park Shooting Investigation
Published: June 8th, 2026
MAPLEWOOD: A St. Paul man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities allege he fired a handgun during a confrontation at Keller Regional Park in Maplewood.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court, Carlos James Jelinek, 29, has been charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, threats of violence, and second-degree riot while armed with a dangerous weapon in connection with a June 2 incident at the park.
Police were dispatched to Keller Regional Park shortly before 8 p.m. on reports of a shooting. Witnesses reported that the suspected shooter had left the area in a white Dodge Durango headed toward Highway 61.
Investigators recovered a spent .40-caliber shell casing in a parking lot near the pavilion, as well as two spent 9mm casings and a cellphone in a grassy area nearby, according to the complaint.
Officers later stopped a Dodge Durango matching the description and identified Jelinek as a passenger. During a search of the vehicle, police reportedly recovered a Springfield Hellcat 9mm handgun from the center console and a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber handgun from beneath a rear passenger seat.
Court documents state the incident stemmed from a gathering held in memory of a deceased family member. Witnesses told investigators that tensions escalated after an argument involving several attendees. One witness alleged Jelinek, along with others, attempted to confront another person before Jelinek allegedly drew a handgun, fired a shot into the air, and then fired additional rounds.
Another witness told investigators that Jelinek was seen with a handgun and allegedly fired between one and four rounds before leaving the scene. Two individuals reportedly identified Jelinek as the shooter, according to the complaint.
Jelinek denied firing the weapon and told investigators he believed another individual was responsible for the gunfire. However, prosecutors allege evidence recovered at the scene, witness statements, and the discovery of a cellphone believed to belong to Jelinek support the charges.
If convicted of the most serious charge, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, Jelinek faces a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, a $14,000 fine, or both.
All charges are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.