Updated: Gunshots fired, chairs thrown in reported fight
Published 3:43 pm Sunday, July 24, 2011
A gunshot was reportedly fired through the bedroom wall of a house across the street from the Freeborn County Fairgrounds early Sunday morning during what authorities are calling a large fight involving as many as 20 people.
No one was injured.
According to an Albert Lea Police Department news release, officers were dispatched to the Fairlane Building of the fairgrounds at 2:05 a.m. after receiving a call of the fight. Officers were also notified that people were using folding chairs as weapons.
When authorities arrived, they saw numerous people running in the area, and officers stopped several vehicles attempting to leave the scene.
There had been a graduation party at the Fairlane Building.
Five people from Nebraska and Iowa in one of the cars were arrested for illegal consumption, and upon search of the vehicle police found a .45-caliber handgun. Five .45-caliber brass casings were also found at the fairgrounds.
Albert Lea Police Lt. Darin Palmer said police do not know if the gun recovered was associated with the bullet that went through the house, 1102 Bridge Ave.
Police stated the following were arrested:
• Ruot Simon Puok, 19, of Des Moines, Iowa, for underage consumption and possession of a small amount of marijuana
• Pal Jock Deng, 18, of Omaha, Neb., for illegal consumption
• Tesloach Reath, 18, of Omaha, for underage drinking and driving and open container violations
• Gatluak Chuol Pal, 19, of Omaha, for illegal consumption
• Shaban Mohamed Shaban, 18, of Omaha, for illegal consumption.
No arrests have yet been made regarding the shot fired through the house.
A .45 caliber bullet was also found in the trunk of a vehicle at 1108 Bridge Ave., which was reported to authorities later Sunday.
Authorities are continuing to investigate.
The incident continued to develop Sunday evening after police received a call of a group believed to have been associated with the fight who were threatening to shoot some of the others involved.
Palmer said police pulled over an automobile at gunpoint related to this call.
From this traffic stop, the following were arrested:
• Shawn Phillip Gaston, 21, of Albert Lea, for a local warrant
• Tyree Lavertt Williams, 19, for a local warrant and for illegal consumption
• James Daniel Williams, 20, for illegal consumption.
Police were assisted by deputies with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office.