A Blaine woman is accused of chasing an 11-year-old boy while holding a knife and threatening him on Nov. 4, according to the complaint.
The complaint lists two counts. The first is threats of violence with reckless disregard of risk, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of $3,000 to $10,000 or both. The second is fifth-degree assault for causing fear of bodily harm or death, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a fine of $300 to $1,000 or both. Both counts list an offense date of Nov. 4.
Shelly Marie Gower, 56, is charged with both counts in a complaint filed Nov. 5 in Anoka County District Court.
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According to the complaint, Blaine officers responded around 5:26 p.m. on Nov. 4 to a report that an 11-year-old boy was chased by a woman wielding a knife. Two people called 911 and one of them identified the woman as Gower.
The boy told officers he was riding his bike with another boy to a friend’s house when Gower began yelling and calling them names. He said she got mad, dropped some papers and chased him. He said he saw her holding a knife at waist level and saw the blade reflecting in the light. He said he heard her say, “I’m going to get you soon,” before she chased him. He said he felt as though she was going to attack him. An officer noted the boy was crying and appeared scared.
The other boy’s account was similar. He told officers he saw Gower drop papers, grab a folding knife, open it and chase the first boy. He said he heard her threaten to get the first boy and his family. Two other juvenile males told officers they saw the entire incident and said Gower was outside yelling at the boy and chased him. They said it was dark and rainy and did not see anything in her hands.
Gower denied having a knife, according to the complaint. She said she came outside to cover her truck and get the mail. She said the kids were calling her names and denied any wrongdoing.
During a search of Gower’s residence, officers found an open folding knife with a silver blade and blaze orange handle on a table just inside the south door, next to some mail. Surveillance video from a nearby camera showed Gower in her driveway adjusting the cover on her vehicle and then walking toward the street.
The complaint says she was off camera briefly and then seen for a few seconds before leaving the frame again. The boy could be heard screaming and what sounded like rapid footsteps was audible. Gower returned on camera about 12 seconds later. Other children could be heard yelling obscenities and names at Gower during the incident.
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