Stolen Suni Lee Statue Recovered During Saint Paul Shots Fired Investigation
Photo: Saint Paul Police Department
Published: August 28th, 2026
SAINT PAUL MN: A shots fired call in Saint Paul early Friday morning led police to recover multiple firearms and a bronze statue honoring Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee that had been stolen from Phalen Regional Park more than a year ago.
According to the Saint Paul Police Department, officers responded shortly after 12:30 a.m. to a multi-unit residence in the 900 block of Forest Street after receiving reports of gunfire.
Police say officers found spent rifle casings outside the residence. Officers made several announcements, and multiple people eventually exited the building.
Officers then conducted a protective sweep of the residence to determine whether anyone had been injured or remained inside. Police said no additional people were located and no injuries were reported.
Authorities later obtained a search warrant for the home. During the search, officers recovered multiple firearms and ammunition, according to police.
Officers also discovered the bronze statue of Saint Paul native and Olympic gold medalist gymnast Suni Lee. Police said the statue was intact.
The statue had been reported stolen from Phalen Regional Park on July 31, 2025.
An adult man was arrested and taken to the Ramsey County Jail on suspicion of felony receiving stolen property in connection with the statue, according to police. No arrests have been made in connection with the reported gunfire as of Friday.
“Our city honored a great American, Minnesotan, and Saint Paulite, with a statue to celebrate her incredible achievements in multiple Olympic Games,” Saint Paul Police Chief Axel Henry said. “Last year, disrespectful and shameless thieves decided to desecrate this tribute by stealing the statue from our community.”
Henry said the statue's recovery resulted from officers' response to what initially began as a shots fired call.
Plans are now underway to reinstall the Suni Lee statue at Phalen Regional Park in the near future, according to police.
The circumstances surrounding the reported gunfire remain under investigation.