On or about June 2, 2026 at approximately 4:31 P.M., Bloomington police received multiple reports of either fireworks being set off or shots fired coming from the 8200-8300 block of 11th or 12th Avenue south in Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Additional callers reported hearing the sound of “racking” a firearm and a male muttering something. From the information given by multiple callers, dispatch determined the fireworks or shots were likely coming from the backyard of a home on the 8300 block of 12th Avenue South.
Officers arrived on scene. While on scene, additional information was relayed that a neighbor could hear the suspect telling his dog to “get out of the way,” and his words sounded slurred. Officers heard two gunshots coming from the backyard of the home on 12th Avenue South. Officers entered the backyard and made contact with GUY EDWARD GRAD (“Defendant” herein). Officers noted that Defendant appeared to be intoxicated, as they could detect a strong odor of alcohol emanating from his person. Officers recovered a shotgun laying in the grass approximately 15-20 feet away from Defendant.
The shotgun was identified as a camouflage colored Mossberg 12-gauage pump-action shotgun with serial number AT126105. Officers detained Defendant. Officers recovered four red shotgun shells from Defendant’s front right pocket. Officers spoke with one reporting party, E. S. (“Witness 1” herein). Witness 1 told officers that he lives in a home on the 8300 block of 11th Avenue South. He heard three loud “blasts” over a 15-20 minute period. Witness 1 said he went outside to his yard and could hear his neighbor, Defendant, talking.
Witness 1 said Defendant was saying things like “the dogs in the pool” and “now the dogs in the way.” Witness 1 said Defendant was slurring his words. Witness 1 heard another loud shot and saw branches falling in his yard. Defendant was transported to the Bloomington Police Department. There, he submitted a preliminary breath test that yielded a result of.248 BAC. In a post-Miranda statement, Defendant told officers that he was mad about work. Defendant stated that he is from the country, and in the country, it is common to shoot at logs.
Defendant said he did not think about the fact that he was in city limits, he was not shooting at anyone, and he was just shooting at logs on the ground. Defendant said he was shooting because he was mad. Defendant said he was using a 12-gauge bird shot in his Mossberg 12-gauge, camo-colored shotgun. Defendant stated he believed he fired 6 birdshots at the log. Defendant acknowledged that there are houses in every direction around his home. Defendant claimed he might have had one beer, but he did not remember drinking.
Defendant also stated he did not remember submitting a PBT. Defendant was transported to the Hennepin County jail. He remains in custody.
