Thief River Falls Gun Found Near Teen, Two Charged
THIEF RIVER FALLS (trfnews.i234.me) — Two residents face firearm charges after a May traffic stop.
Court complaints say police saw a speeding vehicle on Third Street around 4:42 p.m. on May 30.
The area is commonly called “the double lanes.”
Police estimated the vehicle traveled between 45 and 50 mph in a 30-mph zone.
The vehicle was changing lanes and passing several vehicles, according to the complaints.
Marquil V. Flynn, 30, faces one count of negligent firearm storage.
Shivawn Lashay Williams, 30, faces unlawful weapon possession and negligent firearm storage charges.
The complaints were filed on June 26.
Vehicle Stopped After Several Blocks
Police said Flynn did not stop immediately after emergency lights and a siren were activated.
The vehicle stopped more than two-and-a-half blocks later, according to the complaints.
Flynn was detained after the stop.
Police said dark window tint made it difficult to see inside the vehicle.
Flynn allegedly said he was speeding while trying to pass another driver.
He also said he searched for a safe place before stopping.
Police later saw Williams and a 13-year-old boy in the backseat.
Loaded Pistol Found Near Child
Flynn allegedly told police that a firearm was inside the vehicle.
He said the firearm belonged to Williams.
Williams allegedly said the pistol was under the front passenger seat.
The boy offered to retrieve it because he knew its location.
Police told him to leave the firearm where it was.
An officer later found a Glock 9mm pistol beneath the seat in front of the boy.
The pistol was near the area where the boy had placed his feet.
Police removed the magazine and cleared the pistol.
A round was allegedly found inside the chamber.
Flynn said the pistol fell from a storage area below the vehicle’s radio.
He said it slid under the seat after police activated emergency lights.
Permit Issue Cited in Complaint
Police confirmed Williams was the registered owner, according to the complaint.
Williams allegedly said she moved from Georgia to Minnesota about one month earlier.
She also allegedly said she did not have a Minnesota permit to carry.
Williams said Georgia did not require a permit to carry a firearm.
Readers can review Minnesota’s negligent firearm storage law.
They can also review the state’s permit-to-carry law.
Public case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The charges are allegations. Flynn and Williams are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.
