On February 10, 2026, at approximately 6:23 P.M., officers were called to the report of two gunshots near the rear of a residence in the City of South Saint Paul, County of Dakota, State of Minnesota, followed by yelling. Officers responded to the residence and saw two males exiting the residence and then retreating into the residence. Officers ordered the males to exit the residence, and the males again exited briefly before retreating back inside. After again ordering the males to exit the residence, officers were able to detain and identify them.
One of the males was identified as Witness 1, while the other was identified as DEMETRIUS DARCELL HARRIS [DOB REDACTED]. While detaining HARRIS, officers determined he was intoxicated as he smelled of alcohol and was slurring his speech. HARRIS was uncooperative with officers and refused to follow their commands. Officers conducted a safety sweep of the residence to check for other occupants and during that search saw a handgun lying on top of a chest freezer next to a pair of gloves. Officers noted the slide to the handgun was locked in the back position, indicating it had been fired until the magazine was empty.
Outside the residence, officers located several bullet casings on the rear deck of the residence as well as a live round of ammunition and a holster for a handgun. Officers also observed an apparent blood trail and a bloody animal footprint leading from the backyard of the residence. Witness 1 told officers that he had been asleep in the residence when he woke up to a loud noise, he thought was a firework. Witness 1 then heard another loud bang but stayed in his room. Witness 1 was not sure where the loud bangs came from, but stated they were nearby.
Witness 1 stated a short time later he heard officers commanding he exit the residence. Witness 1 stated it was only him and HARRIS in the residence that evening. Officers also spoke to Witness 2 and 3, who live next door to the suspect address. Witness 2 and 3 told officers they were in their basement when they heard two loud bangs and then what sounded like an older male yelling. Officers were provided a copy of surveillance footage from Witness 2 and 3’s basement with audio of the gunshots. Officers also spoke to the owner of the suspect address who stated she lives there with Witness 1 and HARRIS. The owner indicated that they have had recent issues with raccoons 2 19HA-CR-26-644 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 5/6/2026 getting into their trash cans and believed HARRIS may have shot at a raccoon.
Officers obtained a search warrant and re-entered the residence to secure the firearm. Swabs were later taken of the firearm and sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension along with DNA samples from Witness 1 and HARRIS. Analysis of the swabs from the firearm’s grip indicated a DNA mixture of four individuals was present on the firearm, but that the major profile matched HARRIS’ profile. A search of HARRIS’ criminal history shows a prior conviction for Felony Assault in the Second Degree on January 16, 2001, in St. Louis County, which included the use of a firearm.
