Gardner Man Charged in Moorhead Shotgun Case
Moorhead, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — A Gardner, North Dakota man faces felony charges after an early-morning gun incident.
Troy Daniel Sorenson, 41, was charged Sept. 15 in Clay County District Court.
He faces illegal firearm possession by a person previously convicted of a crime of violence.
He also faces second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
A third charge alleges misdemeanor possession of a switchblade knife.
Sorenson remained in custody at the Clay County Jail when the complaint was filed.
Police Respond To Moorhead Residence
According to the criminal complaint, Moorhead police responded around 2:44 a.m. Monday.
The call involved a possible assault with a firearm at a Belsly Boulevard residence.
Police arrived and found Sorenson near several vehicles in a parking lot.
He appeared to be holding a firearm, according to the complaint.
Sorenson and another person were detained without incident.
Police searched Sorenson and reported finding an automatic switchblade knife.
They also recovered a loaded shotgun leaning against a nearby vehicle.
The shotgun had a green laser sight attached, according to the complaint.
Victim Describes Laser And Shotgun
The alleged victim told police he had been visiting the residence.
He said he was returning from a garage when someone told him to wait.
The man then saw a green laser pointed toward his head, the complaint states.
He said Sorenson stood near a pickup truck and pointed the shotgun at him.
The man ran inside the residence after seeing the weapon.
He later told police that Sorenson remained outside near the garage.
He said the shotgun and laser were still directed toward the house.
Sorenson Gives His Account
Sorenson told police he believed people were circling the residence and planned to rob it.
He said that belief caused him to retrieve the shotgun.
Sorenson denied pointing the weapon at anyone.
He said he only wanted to remove the laser sight from the firearm.
Sorenson also said he previously sold the shotgun to another person at the residence.
Court documents cite earlier drug convictions in Sorenson’s record.
They include a 2004 conviction for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
Records also list two convictions involving possession of methamphetamine and ecstasy.
Case Remains Pending
Clay County District Court handles criminal cases filed in the county.
Public custody information is available through the Clay County inmate roster.
The charges against Sorenson are accusations.
He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
