Bemidji Teen Charged In Trailer Park Shooting

Bemidji Teen Charged In Trailer Park Shooting

Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji teen is facing felony charges after a shooting at a trailer park left another person badly hurt.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Beltrami County District Court, Ray Gene Jacob Tahahwah is charged with first-degree assault. He is also charged with carrying or possessing a pistol without a permit in a public place.

The case was filed under Court File No. 04-CR-26-1128. The alleged shooting happened on May 15, 2026, in Beltrami County.

Gunfire Reported On Little Norway Avenue

Court documents state dispatchers received a report of gunshots around 2:27 p.m. The call came from 1215 Little Norway Avenue Southeast, Lot 4.

When deputies arrived, they found a male victim outside an entryway. The victim, identified in the complaint as J.K., had a gunshot wound in his upper back.

The complaint says deputies saw heavy bleeding. They also reported that J.K. appeared to be in severe distress. Emergency aid was provided at the scene.

Authorities said the wound appeared to involve a punctured lung. The complaint describes the injury as life-threatening.

Witnesses Describe Events Before Shooting

A witness, identified as R.C., told deputies she was with J.K. earlier that day. She said they had gone to a skate park.

At the skate park, they allegedly met Ray Gene Jacob Tahahwah. The complaint says R.C. heard Tahahwah make a threatening comment.

R.C. told deputies that J.K. then said they needed to leave. The two left on bicycles and headed south toward downtown Bemidji.

The complaint says R.C. later noticed Tahahwah following them on a bicycle. She said he could not catch up.

As they neared the Little Norway Trailer Park, R.C. saw a blue Honda Civic approach. She told deputies gunshots came from the vehicle.

R.C. also reported recording the incident on her phone. She gave deputies part of the vehicle’s license plate number.

Vehicle Later Stopped

Authorities issued an alert for a blue Honda Civic. Red Lake Nation Tribal Police later stopped a similar vehicle.

The complaint says Tahahwah and K.S. were inside the vehicle. K.S. later gave deputies a statement.

K.S. said she had been with Tahahwah earlier at the skate park. She said she later left to get food.

According to the complaint, Tahahwah called her and asked to be picked up quickly. She said she picked him up near the south McDonald’s location.

K.S. told deputies Tahahwah directed her to follow J.K. She said she tried to drive away several times.

The complaint alleges Tahahwah pulled out a pistol and fired toward J.K. from inside the vehicle. K.S. said she did not know he had a gun.

Court documents also state Tahahwah was subject to a Domestic Abuse No Contact Order involving K.S.

The first-degree assault charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $30,000 fine, or both. More information on Minnesota assault law is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

The pistol charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both. Minnesota permit law can be viewed through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

All charges are allegations. Tahahwah is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.