A Minneapolis man stopped on suspicion of shoplifting at a Bloomington Walmart on July 4, 2026, had a loaded handgun tucked in his waistband, according to charges.

Edward James Williams II, who was 18 at the time of the alleged offense, faces a gross misdemeanor charge for carrying or possessing a pistol without a permit in a public place.

According to the complaint, Bloomington police officers were working overtime at Walmart when a loss prevention associate observed Williams conceal an item from the deli in his sweatshirt pocket. After passing all points of sale without paying, he was apprehended in the vestibule. Officers escorted him to the loss prevention office for a search.

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While checking Williams’ hoodie pocket, an officer felt a hard object underneath the sweatshirt. Upon lifting his sweatshirt, the officer discovered a gun magazine protruding from his waistband. The officer began to remove the magazine and saw it was inserted into a black handgun, which had a round in the chamber. The firearm was identified as a Glock 30, .45 caliber, and was not reported stolen. The officer saw an altered back plate consistent with a modification that would make the handgun fully automatic, the complaint says.

Williams verbally identified himself to the officers, who confirmed his identity through the Department of Vehicle Services. He was subsequently trespassed from Walmart for one year.

The complaint was filed on October 2, 2026. Williams is scheduled to appear in Hennepin County District Court on October 28, 2026.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of up to one year in jail for the gross misdemeanor charge of carrying or possessing a pistol without a permit in a public place.

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Jurisdictional Context

Hennepin County is Minnesota’s most populous jurisdiction. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office handles felony prosecutions across Minneapolis and 44 other cities; the Fourth Judicial District presides over felony arraignments and trials at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.