Felon’s Gun Discharges During Saint Paul Arrest
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A convicted felon tried to hide a gun with an extended magazine when officers arrived at a Saint Paul apartment building and it went off during his arrest, prosecutors say.
The bullet grazed the man’s leg, according to a criminal complaint filed this week.
Trey Jordan Ard, 27, of Minneapolis, faces two felony counts of possession of a firearm by an ineligible person.
Saint Paul police responded around 10:05 p.m. on March 14 to the 500 block of Broadway Street on a report of eight people pointing guns at each other. Dispatch also heard yelling and screaming during the 911 call, court documents say.
> Sign up for the MN CRIME newsletter
Officers went to the sixth floor and found Ard near the elevator by the party room. He was trying to conceal a gun with an extended magazine, the complaint states. When officers moved to take him into custody, the weapon discharged and the bullet grazed his leg.
Police recovered the gun, a 7.62x39 Pioneer Arms Corp Hell Pup, and two loaded magazines. Ard was transported to Regions Hospital for treatment. Before the transfer, Ard told officers he had a spent bullet casing stuck in his sweatshirt. Officers shook his clothing and recovered a single rifle casing, court records say.
READ MORE > Saint Paul coverage
Saint Paul police activated their critical incident protocol and called in the BCA to assist with the investigation. After being read his Miranda rights, Ard told investigators he knew he wasn't supposed to have a firearm and said he'd had the rifle for about a month, the complaint states. He told them his "baby mama" lives in the apartment and he stays there sometimes.
Ard said a family member told him there was a dispute in the party room and people had guns. He went to check it out, but the people involved had already left. He was heading to the elevator when police arrived, and the gun in his jacket pocket went off when officers rushed him, he told investigators.
Officers spoke with several people in the nearby party room. None claimed to have seen anything.
Based on Ard's felony conviction history, he is ineligible to possess firearms or ammunition. Felony possession of a firearm carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.
Saint Paul police responded around 10:05 p.m. on March 14 to the 500 block of Broadway Street on a report of eight people pointing guns at each other.