At approximately 6:07 P.M., on 12/18/2025, Officers responded to an apartment located at [ADDRESS REDACTED], Richfield, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Donte Jospeh McCarty, herein Defendant, discharged his shotgun causing a large hole about 6 feet off the ground in his front door. Officer observed debris in the apartment hallway. Defendant initially said that the shotgun discharged upon hitting the floor. When Officer explained that Defendant’s story did not fit the damage, Defendant changed his story.
Defendant stated that he pulled the trigger to clear the shotgun believing it was not loaded. Defendant stated that he has taken firearm safety. Officer spoke with Defendant's neighbor, Witness herein, who lives across the hallway. Witness was home at the time Defendant discharged his shotgun through his front door. Investigator examined the shotgun and noted it to be a pump action shotgun, whereby shotgun shells are loaded on shell at a time. They go into a tube that sits directly under the barrel of the gun.
Investigator noted the large opening on the side of the firearm, which allows a handler to see whether the firearm is loaded. Based on Investigator’s background, training, and experience with firearms, Investigator opined that pulling the trigger is not a safe or routine way to clear a firearm. Further, it is well understood in firearm safety that you never point a gun at anything unless you intend to shoot it. Likewise, it is well understood that you never pull the trigger of a firearm unless you’re intending to shoot or you have verified that the firearm is unloaded.
Investigator opined that the steps needed to confirm whether the shotgun was loaded were minimal. Defendant is currently in custody.
