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Thursday, August 7, at approximately 10:40 a.m., the Minnesota State Patrol East Metro Communications Center advised the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office of a 911 call from a passenger in a vehicle southbound on I-35 near the Harris exit, that the driver of their vehicle had been shot in the leg. The bullet appeared to have entered through the driver’s side door.

Chisago County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Troopers from the Minnesota State Patrol, Officers from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and emergency medical personnel immediately responded to the area. Deputies arriving in the vicinity reported hearing gunfire consistent with rifle target shooting. Multiple deputies and DNR Officers began canvassing the area on foot and deployed drones to help pinpoint the source of the gunfire.

Three adult males were ultimately located on private property along I-35. They were found to be shooting rifles at a target positioned in the direction of the interstate. The estimated distance from the shooting location to where the victim was struck is over 1,500 feet. The three individuals are cooperating with law enforcement.

The victim, a 48-year-old male from Duluth, sustained non-life-threatening injuries to his leg and was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Three other occupants in the vehicle were not injured.

A Chisago County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said they are actively investigating the incident with assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

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