MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A 35-year-old Minneapolis man faces charges after he allegedly pointed a BB gun at Edina police officers, who then shot and wounded him, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Colin Peter Reinsmoen is charged with illegally possessing a firearm and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, both felonies, in connection to the Aug. 8, 2015 incident.
According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to an Edina apartment for a welfare check on Reinsmoen, who has mental health issues.
Reinsmoen allegedly began threatening his parents with physical violence when they confronted him about getting help. They then called 911.
Before police arrived, Reinsmoen went back to a couch and covered himself in a blanket. When police arrived, he stood up with one of his hands in a clutched position covered by the blanket. Police asked him to see what was under the blanket, but he refused, the complaint said.
Eventually, Reinsmoen allegedly threw the blanket aside and raised his hand, which was clutching a handgun. He then pointed it directly at one of the officers, and both officers fired and struck him.
Reinsmoen was then arrested and police recovered the firearm, which was a black semi-automatic BB gun. He was taken to the hospital where he needed surgery, but is expected to fully recover.
Police say he has a lengthy criminal history, which includes controlled substance, simple robbery and domestic abuse crimes.
If convicted, Reinsmoen could face up to 15 years in prison for the illegally possessing a firearm charge and up to seven years for the second-degree assault charge.
The two officers were identified Wednesday as Keith Boerger and David Boosalis. They have both been placed on routine paid administrative leave, per department policy.
The incident is under investigation by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
