51-Year-Old Man Charged for Shooting Near Preston That Wounded Arkansas Man
Preston, MN (KROC-AM News)-A Preston man has been formally charged for a shooting that happened over the weekend in Fillmore County.
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The victim, described by the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office as a man from Arkansas, was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities identified the suspect arrested in the case as 51-year-old Dennis Hershberger.
Man Convicted of Fillmore County Burglary Charged for Shooting That Wounded Man Near Preston
Deputies responded to a 911 call that was placed by the victim. He stated his vehicle had been shot by Hershberger at a home in the 18000 block Game Rd.
The victim’s vehicle became disabled following the shooting, but he was able to restart it and meet with law enforcement in the 6000 block of 331st Ave.
The court document says the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the right elbow area. The victim told a deputy he had been with Hershberger to assist him with legal matters in the days leading up to the shooting.
He said he was trying to leave Hershberger’s property around 3:45 Saturday morning when Hershberger, who the complaint says was masked head-to-toe in camouflage, stood in front of his vehicle with a gun.
Hershberger asked the victim, “Why do you got my generator in your car,” which the complaint says was in reference to a generator the two had bought earlier in the day. Hershberger also told the victim, “You got my fanny pack in your car,” the charges say.
The victim said he got out of his vehicle after Hershberger fired a gun shot, laid on the ground and told his alleged assailant to “Take whatever you want out of my car.” The complaint says Hershberger responded by telling the victim to get up and that he would open the gate for him.
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The victim was taken to a hospital in Decorah, IA where he was treated and released. He described the firearm as a muzzle loader that he said looked like an AR-15.
Rochester-Olmsted County Emergency Response Unit Responds to Shooting Scene
Fillmore County Authorities requested assistance from the Rochester/Olmsted County Emergency Response Unit (ERU) due to the nature of the incident, the court document says.
ERU arrived at Hersheberger’s property shortly before 7 a.m., established a command center and began drone surveillance of the property. After conducting surveillance, authorities determined Hershberger was the only person at the property, according to the complaint.
At 9:54 a.m., Hershberger began cutting his lawn and members of the ERU moved in to arrest him by using an armored vehicle.
Less-Than-Lethal Rounds Used to Make Arrest, Evidence and Ammo Found
ERU members gave Hershberger commands that he was under arrest. Two minutes later, they deployed less-than-lethal pepper balls and had Hershberger in custody by 10 a.m., the complaint says.
Investigators then executed a search warrant they had obtained for the property.
The complaint says they discovered evidence of the shooting, multiple shotgun shells and other ammunition. The firearm was never located.
Prior Burglary Conviction
Court records indicate Hershberger was convicted of second-degree burglary in December, a conviction that prohibits him from possessing a firearm. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years probation.
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Hershberger is charged with one count each of second-degree assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition as a convicted felon, threats of violence and discharging a firearm endangering public safety.
He’s scheduled to make his first appearance in Fillmore County Court on Monday.
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