Security Guard's Lie Launched Massive St. Kate's Manhunt: Police

SAINT PAUL, MN — Police say a security guard who told police he was shot by a suspect in a wooded area on the campus of St. Catherine University in Saint Paul has been arrested. Brent Patrick Ahlers, 25, of St. Louis Park was arrested at about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Saint Paul police headquarters.

According to investigators, Ahlers admitted to accidentally shooting himself a night earlier working as a security guard on the university’s campus. Ahlers also told investigators he was handling his gun when it accidentally discharged, sending a bullet through his shoulder, according to police.

Authorities said he then called 911 and was transported to Regions Hospital by Saint Paul fire medics.

While Ahlers was being treated at the hospital, the Saint Paul police department established a perimeter around the campus and conducted an exhaustive search involving 55 officers, four canines and a Minnesota State Patrol aircraft. No suspect was located and the search was called off just after midnight. Meanwhile, investigators worked around the clock to determine what happened, according to a news release.

On Wednesday night, Ahlers told investigators he feared losing his job so he made up the story about being shot by a person in the wooded area, according to police. He was booked into the Ramsey County jail for falsely reporting a crime, a misdemeanor.

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Image via Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office