Stray Bullet from Target Practice Accidentally Hits Driver on I-35 Near Harris, Minnesota
CHISAGO COUNTY, MINNESOTA - A 48-year-old man from Duluth was injured Thursday morning after being struck by a bullet while driving on southbound I-35 near Harris, Minnesota. The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office says the shooting appears to have been the result of rifle target practice taking place near the interstate.
At approximately 10:40 a.m., the Minnesota State Patrol’s East Metro Communications Center received a 911 call from a passenger in the vehicle, reporting that the driver had been shot in the leg by a bullet that entered through the driver’s side door. Deputies from the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office, troopers from the Minnesota State Patrol, officers from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and emergency medical personnel responded immediately.
Upon arriving in the area, deputies reported hearing what sounded like active rifle target shooting. A search effort began on foot and by drone to locate the source of the gunfire.
Three adult males were located on private property near the interstate. According to authorities, the men were shooting rifles at a target positioned in the direction of I-35. The bullet that struck the driver traveled an estimated 1,500 feet from the shooting location to the interstate. All three individuals are cooperating with law enforcement.
The injured driver was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with non-life-threatening injuries. Three other occupants in the vehicle were not harmed.
The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident with assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota DNR. No arrests have been made at this time, and authorities have not yet commented on whether charges will be filed.
More information will be released as the investigation progresses.
Rough Location of Incident.
Written by: Will Wight
