At around 3:45 PM on April 7, 2026, officers were sent to [ADDRESS REDACTED] East, St. Paul, Ramsey County on a shooting. Officers found NS (YOB: 2008) in the driver’s seat of an Acura with a gunshot wound to the right side of his chest and an exit wound to his back. NS’s father, PN, was also in the Acura. NS screamed in pain and said he had trouble breathing. NS said he had been shot by an old guy who he didn’t know. NS was transported to Regions Hospital with life-threatening injuries. The bullet hit NS’s liver and lung, and it broke ribs.
NS is expected to be in the hospital for two weeks. Officers learned that the shooter, GYAW WAY [DOB REDACTED] had entered [ADDRESS REDACTED] after the shooting. Officers also learned that Way’s son, PAH KER SAY [DOB REDACTED], hid the gun Way used to shoot NS in the basement after the shooting. Way wore a green bag that contained a box of 9mm ammunition when he was arrested. Way spoke in Karen when arrested, but he said a few words in English: “sorry,” “baby die,” and “no accident.” Way’s other son arrived and told police that Way and Say were mentally unstable.
Officers called the occupants out of the home and arrested Way and Say. Officers obtained and executed a search warrant at [ADDRESS REDACTED]. Officers found a 9mm Citadel handgun in a green cross body bag in the basement. Officers spoke to the residents at [ADDRESS REDACTED]. The residents explained that Way and Say had been staying with them since a fire at their house in December 2025. One of Way’s children died in that fire. Way was overseas at the time of the fire, and for some reason he thinks PN was involved with the fire.
On April 7, 2026, the residents explained that Way called PN and said he had the money he owed PN. PN got a ride from NS to collect the money Way owed him. Way got into the Acura with PN and NS. Say was walking toward the Acura. The residents heard a gunshot. They looked out and saw Say standing by the front passenger door. Say asked Way what was wrong with him. Say took a small, black handgun from Way, and Say then ran to the basement. Way was intoxicated, and he returned to the home and lay on the couch.
Way made a comment wondering why they called police, and Way said he didn’t care that he was going to jail. One of PN’s legs is amputated, and he told police that Way was his former caretaker. PN loaned Way money for a trip to Thailand. On April 6, 2026, Way told PN that he had PN’s money during a Facebook messenger call. Way told PN to come pick up his money at [ADDRESS REDACTED] East. On April 7, 2026, NS drove PN to Way’s house. PN was in the back seat, and Way got into the front passenger seat.
Way took out a gun and shot NS without saying anything. PN was shocked, but he couldn’t leave the Acura due to his disability. PN said Way was intoxicated and had difficulty leaving the Acura himself. Say came and took Way back to the house. Way declined a custodial statement. Say was advised of his constitutional rights and agreed to speak to investigators using a translator. Say was shown a photo of NS. Say said he didn’t know NS, but he thought he may be the son of the man who had lived with them around a year ago.
