Gang Member Charged In Mpls. Shooting That Injured Mother, Toddler
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 28-year-old Minneapolis man has been charged in a wild shooting spree that resulted in a mother and child suffering significant wounds, the Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Monday.
Dontae Denae Peterson is charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder for allegedly shooting at the driver of a sports utility vehicle, four counts of second-degree assault with the driver and mother as the victim, and two counts of first-degree assault with the baby as the victim. Four of the counts were charged as being for the benefit of a gang.
According to the criminal complaint, Peterson – a member of the 10z gang – had been feuding with a man, who is only identified as OT2, and his associates. On Thursday, June 18, Peterson and friends of his were having several loud arguments with a OT2 at various locations near Peavey Park. During one of the arguments, Peterson flashed his handgun at OT2.
At around 2:15 p.m., Peterson noticed the light-colored SUV that OT2 and his friends had been riding in was traveling north on Park Avenue. He then ran through Peavey Park and stood between two parked cars. When the SUV approached, Peterson allegedly fired his gun at least eight times – emptying it, the complaint said.
Some of the bullets struck the vehicle, but at least one missed and struck a mother pushing a stroller and her 15-month-old child on the west side of Park Avenue. The bullet traveled through her leg. A bullet also struck the child, hitting the child's abdomen and traveling out of the child's back.
The child needed surgery and is now in stable condition, but the child's intestines and bowels were permanently damaged, according to the complaint.
Peterson will make his first court appearance Tuesday. A bail of $1 million is expected to be asked by the attorney's office.
"This is outrageous, criminal behavior that resulted in an innocent mother and child suffering terrible wounds," Freeman said. "Minneapolis police investigators and our prosecutor worked tirelessly since the shooting to bring this case together. We will do everything in our power to prove Mr. Peterson guilty and make sure he does some serious time."
Second-degree attempted murder with intent carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
