Charges: Man Drunkenly Fires Gun, Sends Bullet Into Nearby Home

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – An Otsego man faces multiple charges after allegedly firing a semiautomatic handgun Sunday four or five times near his neighbors' house, sending a bullet into a home just inches from where a homeowner was sitting, court documents say.

Devin Petersen, 45, is charged with one count of intentionally firing a dangerous weapon, one count of recklessly firing a gun and one count of illegally possessing a gun after being convicted of a violent crime. Records show Petersen was convicted of a controlled substance charge in 2002, making him ineligible to have a gun.

A criminal complaint paints this picture of the shooting:

Just before 6 p.m. Sunday, police responded to a shots fired call on the 8000 block of Parell Avenue Northeast. At the scene, a deputy spoke with the homeowners, who said they heard about five gunshots and that one shot had hit the house. Both the homeowner's said they thought the shots came from Petersen's home.

The officer found a hole in the drywall where a bullet entered the home, about six to 12 inches from where one homeowner had been sitting. At the time of the shooting, there were three people in the home: the two homeowners and their 16-year-old daughter.

After investigating the bullet-struck home, the officer went to Petersen's house, located on the 15435 83rd Street Northeast. The officer spoke with Petersen, who appeared to be drunk. He allegedly smelled of alcohol, couldn't keep his balance, slurred his words and had bloodshot, watery eyes. He would not submit to a breathalyzer.

By the time another officer arrived at the scene, Petersen admitted to shooting the gun about five times while near his fire pit.

Later, a detective obtained a search warrant and found a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and ammunition in Petersen's bedroom. He also found five spent casings outside the home near the deck. The casings found outside the home matched those in the handgun.

If convicted, Petersen faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine.