On March 21, 2026, officers responded to a shots fired call at a Holiday gas station at 601 5th Street North Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. The report indicated that a firearm was discharged inside the store. Officers responded to the scene and located a 40-caliber discharged cartridge casing on the ground near the front entrance of the store. Officers also observed damage to a deli cooler from gunfire. Witnesses described the male as a native male with long black hair, dreads, light complex and wearing a black Nike shirt and black shorts.
Officers reviewed surveillance footage which shows a male consistent with description given by witnesses with a lot of tattoos on his neck, arms and legs. The male was later identified as Tristan James Klemer ([DOB redacted]), Defendant herein. The surveillance shows the Defendant and another individual enter the store. Within five seconds of entering the store the Defendant manipulated his pocket and jumped like he was startled. The Defendant then ran to the exit, and the gun fell out of his pocket onto the ground.
The Defendant then picked up the gun and ran out of the store. On April 14, 2026, Officers executed search warrants for the Defendant’s person and residence, located in Albert Lea Minnesota. In a post-Miranda statement, the Defendant told officers there was a firearm inside the main bedroom of the residence inside a black shoulder bag. The firearm was recovered and was a 40 caliber Taurus, consistent with the discharged cartridge casing located at the scene. Officers also located the search that the Defendant was wearing during the incident on March 21, 2026. A review of the Defendant’s criminal history reveals he is ineligible to possess firearms based on the following convictions: Domestic Assault by Strangulation (74-CR-20-1866; convicted 3/22/2021) Second Degree Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (74-CR-16-465; convicted 6/9/2016) Aid and Abet Simple Robbery (73-CR-15-7377; convicted 12/21/2015) First Degree Burglary (74-JV-14-920; adjudicated delinquent 9/9/2014) Second Degree Burglary (74-JV-13-1796; adjudicated delinquent 12/17/2013) The Defendant also has multiple prohibited person in possession of a firearm convictions: 27-CR-22-13556; convicted 8/4/2022 74-CR-16-466; convicted on 10/17/2016 The Defendant is currently in custody on another matter, therefore the State requests the complaint be issued by warrant.
