A Zimmerman man fired a rifle at a coworker inside a Livonia Township machine shop late at night, striking the victim with shrapnel before fleeing into a nearby residence, according to charges.
Derek Duane Faulkner, 31, faces charges of attempted murder in the second-degree and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, according to a complaint filed Thursday in Sherburne County District Court.
According to court records, deputies were dispatched to a machine shop in Livonia Township after a caller reported that a man with a long gun had shot at another person. The caller said he was not on scene but was with the victim, who had been hit by shrapnel. Deputies met with the victim and a coworker, who both worked the night shift at the shop. The victim told deputies he was cleaning a machine at the end of his shift when he suddenly felt a stinging pain and fell to the floor.
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The coworker, who was in the shop office, heard a loud bang and ran to check on the victim. He saw Faulkner holding a black rifle in the work area. Both men ran out of the building and through the woods before calling 911. Deputies observed injuries on the victim’s right arm, ribs and neck, consistent with being struck by shrapnel. There was a blood stain on the victim’s t-shirt near the shoulder.
The coworker told deputies that earlier that evening, Faulkner’s mother had contacted him, saying Faulkner was not doing well and asking him to take Faulkner’s vehicle keys because he was not allowed to drive. The coworker retrieved the keys and hid them in the shop office. Later, he noticed Faulkner’s vehicle blocking the driveway and moved it so other employees could park. Shortly after returning to the office, he heard the gunshot.
Faulkner’s parents told deputies they had watched him on their Ring camera wielding a golf club, a knife and a long gun as he entered and exited the residence on the property. Deputies found a spent rifle casing near the service door and a bullet hole through the control panel of the machine the victim had been operating. The victim said he had never met Faulkner before and that Faulkner appeared intoxicated and disgruntled.
Deputies issued multiple commands to Faulkner, who remained inside the residence for about 45 minutes before coming out. He was found with two .30-30 caliber cartridges in his shorts pocket. Inside the residence, deputies recovered a .30-30 caliber lever action rifle and other firearms.
The charges allege Faulkner fired the rifle at the victim with intent to kill, and that he used a dangerous weapon to assault the victim, causing injury.
A court date has not yet been set.
About This Charge
Minnesota’s criminal-attempt statute, § 609.17, limits punishment for attempt to no more than half the maximum for the completed offense. Attempted second-degree murder carries up to 20 years in prison.
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Jurisdictional Context
Sherburne County, north of the Twin Cities metro, is served by the Sherburne County Attorney’s Office through the Tenth Judicial District. Felony cases are heard at the Sherburne County Government Center in Elk River.
