A 19-year-old man threatened to shoot up a Dakota County residence, then fled police in a vehicle pursuit into Hennepin County, according to charges.
Caleb Jai Skinner faces three felony charges: threats of violence with intent to terrorize, possession of a firearm by an ineligible person and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.
According to the complaint, South Saint Paul police responded to a home in Dakota County on August 21, 2026, after a family reported that Skinner had threatened to shoot up their residence. One family member told officers that Skinner got into an argument with another family member and was asked to leave. After being told to cool off, Skinner returned still angry and stated, “I’m gonna spin on the opp,” which a family member explained meant Skinner was threatening to shoot him.
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Another family member told officers that Skinner frequently carried a black “1911” style handgun and that they believed he was capable of following through on the threat. Officers reviewed text messages between Skinner and that family member, in which Skinner wrote, “When I’m done finna shoot yall house up, F*** en kids.”
The family used an app to track Skinner’s whereabouts as he drove past the residence and left the area. Officers found the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop using lights and sirens. An officer used a public address system to order Skinner out of the vehicle, but Skinner fled, driving away from the scene.
State Patrol dispatched a flight unit to track the vehicle by air into Hennepin County, and Richfield police deployed a tire deflation device. Despite losing parts of the vehicle, Skinner continued driving before abandoning the car and fleeing on foot. Officers eventually apprehended him.
Inside the vehicle, officers found a pistol and a loaded magazine on the floorboard.
Court records show Skinner was convicted and sentenced at 1:30 PM that same day, August 21, 2026, for threats of violence in a separate case where he threatened to kill two people and racked a gun. Skinner denied having access to a firearm in that case, but officers located a loaded Glock handgun, another loaded magazine and additional ammunition under his bed. As a result of that conviction, Skinner is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The State has filed notice of its intent to seek an aggravated sentence, citing the presence of a child during the offense and the close timing between Skinner’s prior sentencing and the current offense.
About This Charge
Minnesota’s weapons offenses include § 624.713 (felon in possession of a firearm, five-year mandatory minimum for a prior crime of violence), § 609.66 (dangerous weapons, including drive-by shooting at § 609.66 subd. 1e) and § 609.165 (firearm restoration after a felony). Discharge of a firearm within a municipality is charged under § 609.66 subd. 1a.
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Jurisdictional Context
Dakota County, immediately south of Saint Paul, is Minnesota’s third-largest county by population. The Dakota County Attorney’s Office prosecutes felonies through the First Judicial District; cases are heard at the Dakota County Judicial Center in Hastings.
