Man Pleads Guilty For Acquiring Guns For New Hope Shooter
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The man charged with purchasing three firearms used at a shooting at New Hope City Hall has pleaded guilty.
Garant also pleaded guilty to making a false statement during the purchase of the firearm.
According to the plea, on Aug. 21, 2014 "Ray Kmetz" was the highest bidder for three shotguns in an online auction. Two days later, Garant actually purchased the guns. Garant told the store owner that he used the alias of "Kmetz" in the online auction to hide his identity.
The plea states that Garant admitted that he lied on a background check that had been performed on him and had come back clear. On the form Garant claimed to be the actual buyer when he intended to release the guns to Kmetz.
After purchasing the guns, Garant admitted to giving them to Kmetz, who was legally prohibited from purchasing firearms.
On Jan. 26, 2015 Kmetz went to the New Hope City Hall during a meeting of the city council. He was armed with one of the guns that Garant purchased. Kmetz opened fire in the meeting.
New Hope police responded to the call, opened fire on Kmetz and killed him. No city council members were hurt.