All of the conduct described herein occurred within the County of St. Louis, State of Minnesota, unless otherwise noted. On November 2, 2025, at approximately 2:15 A.M., officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Meadowview Apartments, located in the City of Hibbing, St. Louis County, Minnesota, regarding a report of gunshots. When officers arrived on scene, a group of people directed the officers to a male, later identified as Parker Charles Johnson, [DOB redacted], hereinafter referred to as Victim, lying on the ground next to a truck.
Victim appeared to be injured. Another male was standing above him. Officers detained the male, though it was later determined his only involvement was attempting to render aid to the individual. Officers noted Victim had what appeared to be two gunshot wounds, one was in his upper chest and the other in his abdomen. Officers also noted Victim was bleeding from the mouth. Victim appeared semi- conscious, looking around and moving his head and jaw. Officers began life saving efforts, including CPR and a sternum rub.
Officers continued these efforts until emergency medical personnel arrived. Victim was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene. In examining the area Victim was discovered, officers located a shotgun on the ground next to Victim. Officers also located several spent 9 mm cartridge casings on the ground near Victim’s body. During the investigation, officers learned that Victim had been attending a party at the Meadowview Apartments. A number of people at the party, including Victim, had been at a local bar prior to attending the party.
While interviewing individuals present at the party, a witness indicated he had observed an individual firing a gun in the Meadowview Apartments parking lot. The witness stated he observed a male in a Deadpool sweatshirt pointing a gun and firing it three times. The witness did not think anything of it, as he believed the male was drunk and firing rounds into the woods. After seeing the shots, the witness observed the male who had fired the gun standing in the hallway of the apartment complex, near the entrance of the apartment where the party was taking place.
The witness also stated the male was still at the apartment complex when the officers arrived and located Victim. This male was later identified as Daniel James Dale, [DOB redacted], hereinafter referred to as Defendant. Defendant’s Statements to Law Enforcement at the Scene of the Crime Law enforcement spoke with Defendant. Defendant stated he was inside the apartment at the time of the gunshots. Defendant stated he heard the gunshots but did not know what was going on at the time. During the conversation with the officer, Defendant began to laugh.
He then apologized to the officer, indicating he had “seen s*** like this before” while he was living in Seattle and deals with these kinds of situations with humor. The officer asked Defendant if he had been around Victim that night. Defendant stated, “not that I am aware of.” Defendant stated Victim may have been at the bar, but Defendant was not sure. Defendant described hearing “pops”, but he was not sure how may there were due to the loud music. Defendant 2 69HI-CR-25-802 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 11/5/2025 stated that he and his sister had just exited the party to get his sister’s vape, when officers arrived.
