Bemidji Man Accused of Pointing BB Gun at Cyclist

BEMIDJI, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A 43-year-old Bemidji man faces three criminal charges after a cyclist reported being threatened with a gun.

Shiloh Sheridan Williams is accused of pointing what appeared to be a handgun at a man riding his bicycle.

According to a Beltrami County criminal complaint, the incident occurred September 18, 2026, near Wood Avenue Southeast.

Police later recovered a BB pistol and .22-caliber ammunition during a search of a nearby property.

Williams faces two felony charges and one gross misdemeanor charge.

Cyclist Reports Being Threatened With Gun

Bemidji police responded to a reported firearm threat around 9:17 p.m. on September 18.

Officers met with the alleged victim at the Candlewood Suites hotel.

According to the complaint, the man said he was riding his bicycle home near Wood Avenue Southeast.

As he entered an alley, he noticed another man riding a bicycle in a nearby parking lot.

The alleged victim claimed the man suddenly pulled out what appeared to be a pistol.

He reportedly held the weapon sideways and pointed it directly toward the cyclist.

The cyclist said he feared for his life and fell from his bicycle.

He suffered scraped and bloody knuckles during the fall.

Police observed blood on his hands and dirt on his jacket, consistent with his description.

Police Search for Suspect Near Wood Avenue

The alleged victim described the suspect as a thin man wearing a red flat-brimmed hat and dark clothing.

However, he acknowledged the parking lot was dark and could not provide a detailed description of the weapon.

The cyclist also told police he believed the confrontation involved complaints he had made about a nearby residence.

Investigators went to a property on Wood Avenue Southeast to contact possible witnesses or suspects.

Officers initially received no response when knocking at the front entrance.

Another officer approached a garage and noticed a light inside.

The light reportedly went off shortly afterward.

Officers Locate Williams Inside Garage

Police eventually contacted a man inside the garage who was identified as Shiloh Sheridan Williams.

According to the complaint, Williams wore a red or maroon flat-brimmed hat and a dark sports jersey.

Williams reportedly told investigators he had spent most of the day inside the garage.

He also claimed he had taken a ride with his father earlier that day.

However, his father’s account reportedly differed from Williams’ statements.

Williams’ father told officers he had arrived at the garage approximately one hour earlier.

He also denied taking the reported ride with Williams.

Williams told police another man associated with the residence owned a BB gun.

Cyclist Identifies Suspect

While officers spoke with Williams, another officer returned with the alleged victim.

According to the complaint, the cyclist again described the suspect’s distinctive red hat.

Police positioned Williams where the cyclist could see him and illuminated the area.

The alleged victim then identified Williams as the man who pointed the weapon at him.

Officers arrested Williams and obtained a search warrant for the house and garage.

BB Gun and Ammunition Found During Search

Investigators searched the property after receiving judicial authorization.

According to court documents, police discovered a BB pistol beneath a mattress inside the garage.

They also found .22-caliber ammunition in the same room.

Investigators determined that Williams had been staying in that area.

Williams reportedly acknowledged knowing the ammunition was present.

He also allegedly acknowledged being prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of previous felony convictions.

The complaint does not establish that the BB pistol was a conventional firearm.

The prosecution’s firearm-possession allegation is separate from the BB gun and threats allegations.

Previous Felony Convictions Cited

The complaint identifies several previous felony controlled substance convictions involving Williams.

Those include fifth-degree drug possession convictions from 2015, 2017, and 2022.

Prosecutors allege those convictions prohibit Williams from possessing firearms or ammunition under Minnesota law.

The complaint also lists previous impaired driving and misdemeanor convictions.

These earlier convictions are distinct from the charges arising from the September incident.

Three Criminal Charges Filed

Prosecutors filed the following charges against Williams in Beltrami County District Court:

Count 1: Felony firearm possession by a person convicted of a crime of violence. Maximum penalty: 15 years in prison, a $30,000 fine, or both. The complaint also lists a five-year mandatory minimum.
Count 2: Felony threats of violence involving the threatening display of a replica firearm or BB gun. Maximum penalty: one year and one day in prison, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Count 3: Gross misdemeanor carrying a BB gun in a public place. Maximum penalty: 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

These are potential statutory penalties, not sentences imposed against Williams.

Readers can review Minnesota’s firearm possession restrictions.

Additional information is available under Minnesota’s threats of violence law and BB gun restrictions.

Beltrami County Court Proceedings

The criminal case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 04-CR-26-2298.

The prosecutor’s file number is 0040093528.

The supplied complaint includes an order of detention but does not establish Williams’ current custody status.

It also does not identify a final court outcome.

Additional case information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The charges remain allegations. Williams is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.