Stray Bullet Hits Dakota County Sheriff's Home

Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie reports that his home was struck by a stray bullet last Saturday morning around 4:00 a.m. The incident is believed to be related to an incident that occurred several blocks away who stated they were awakened by four or five gunshots at or near that same time.

The exact location of the gunshots is unknown, but believed to be near Highway 13 and Sylvandale Road in Mendota Heights. Agents from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) responded and determined the bullet that struck Sheriff Leslie’s home was coincidentally related to the shots being fired from the area several blocks away.

"I cannot comment on the specifics of the investigation, but my family and I are not hurt," Leslie told KSTP. "We are a little shaken up by the incident, but we are okay."

The bullet or bullets negligently fired for whatever reason could have easily struck other homes in the area, according to a news release. Authorities say there is no ongoing or continual threat to the sheriff or anyone else in the neighborhood from this incident.

The BCA recovered the bullet and will continue investigating the negligent firing of the gun.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the BCA at (651) 793-7000.

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