Thief River Falls Woman Faces Gun Charges

THIEF RIVER FALLS (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls woman faces two firearm charges following a May traffic stop.

Shivawn Lashay Williams is charged in Pennington County District Court with two gross misdemeanors.

The charges include possessing a pistol in a motor vehicle without a permit. She also faces negligent storage of a firearm.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail. Each also carries a possible $3,000 fine.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Williams is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Traffic Stop Leads To Firearm Discovery

The case began during a traffic stop on May 30, 2026, according to the complaint.

Police reported seeing a vehicle traveling west on Third Street at an estimated 45 to 50 mph.

The posted speed limit was 30 mph, according to the complaint.

Police said the vehicle changed lanes and passed several vehicles before officers tried stopping it.

The vehicle eventually stopped near Labree Avenue North after continuing for about two and a half blocks.

Marquil V. Flynn was identified as the driver.

Flynn told police a firearm was inside the vehicle and belonged to his girlfriend, the complaint states.

Williams and a 13-year-old child were seated in the back seat.

Williams reportedly told police the firearm was beneath the front passenger seat.

The child also appeared to know where the gun was located, according to the complaint.

Police instructed the child not to reach toward the firearm.

Officers then recovered a Glock 9mm pistol from beneath the passenger seat.

The complaint states the firearm was near where the child’s feet had been positioned.

Police removed the magazine and cleared the weapon. Officers reported finding a round inside the chamber.

Flynn told police the handgun had earlier been stored beneath the vehicle’s radio area.

He said the gun fell and slid under the passenger seat after police activated emergency lights.

Police confirmed the firearm belonged to Williams and had not been reported stolen, according to the complaint.

Williams reportedly said she had moved from Georgia to Minnesota about one month earlier.

The complaint alleges she did not have a valid permit to carry the pistol.

Minnesota’s permit law is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

The state’s firearm storage law can also be reviewed at Minnesota Statute 609.666.

The criminal complaint provides allegations supporting the charges. It does not represent a finding of guilt.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.