Man Gets Year In Prison For Shooting At Bouncer

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 34-year-old New Germany man will spend a year in jail for firing a gun at a bouncer after being kicked out of a Waconia bar in January of 2011.

Michael Gregory Peterson pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree attempted unintentional murder and second-degree assault with a firearm in connection with the Jan. 16, 2011, incident. According to the charges, Peterson was at Hopper's Bar in Waconia that morning and had been kicked out of the bar for disorderly conduct.

Peterson then showed a pistol and fired several shots at a bouncer at the bar. Nobody was hurt in the incident, where about 100 people were in the bar when it happened. Peterson then left the bar, returned later and was tackled by several patrons.

Peterson will spend a year in the Carver County Jail and also must serve seven years probation. Under the terms of the probation, Peterson must not use alcohol, tobacco or mood-altering chemicals. He also can't possess a firearm and is subject to random drug testing.

Peterson must undergo a psychological evaluation and write a letter of apology to the bouncer and the community.