Pennington County, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—On December 28, at approximately 11:21 p.m., law enforcement responded to a reported gunshot near 418 Conley Ave. S. Upon arrival, officers interviewed a resident who stated they were celebrating his adult son’s birthday and denied hearing any gunshots. However, authorities observed a bullet casing on the steps’ landing. The resident then suggested that a guest might have fired a gun into the air as part of the celebration.
Subsequently, Jesse James Castor, 22, admitted to discharging the firearm in celebration. He presented a valid permit to carry and underwent a preliminary breath test, registering a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01. The resident described the act as a “Mexican tradition” for birthdays, noting their origin from Texas. Law enforcement documented the 9mm Glock 19 and returned it to the owner.
Castor has been charged with felony reckless discharge of a firearm. Under Minnesota Statute §609.66, intentionally discharging a firearm under circumstances that endanger the safety of another, or recklessly discharging a firearm within a municipality, constitutes a felony offense. Penalties can include imprisonment and fines, varying based on specific circumstances and locations, such as public housing or school zones
.
Celebratory gunfire is a practice observed in various cultures, including parts of Latin America and the United States. However, it poses significant safety risks. Bullets fired into the air can return to the ground with sufficient velocity to cause injury or death. Authorities nationwide advise against this practice due to its inherent dangers
.
In Minnesota, reckless discharge of a firearm is taken seriously, with potential penalties including imprisonment and substantial fines. Individuals are urged to handle firearms responsibly and be aware of state laws to prevent accidents and legal consequences
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me