Man Charged With Firing Shots Outside Blaine’s Northtown Mall

Man Charged With Firing Shots Outside Blaine’s Northtown Mall: 

Additional suspects, who've not been identified, remain at large.

Prosecutors have filed criminal charges against an Anoka man suspected of firing shots outside Blaine's Northtown Mall on Sunday.

Maurice E. Neylon, who will turn 21-years-old next week, is charged in Anoka County District Court with dangerous weapons charge related to intentional discharge of a firearm and one count of threats of violence in connection with the incident.

According to the criminal complaint, people inside the mall were ordered to take cover when the shots rang out around 3:18 p.m. At least one bullet struck a display case inside the mall, charges state.

Security footage allegedly shows Neylon and four other males exit the mall and walk east into the parking lot, where the exchange of gunfire occurred and investigators later collected eight 9mm bullet casings.

The Minnesota State Patrol later found Neylon running to a vehicle from houses near University Avenue and Maple Lane in Spring Lake Park.

According to the complaint, Neylon was in possession of a 9mm handgun in a "locked back" position with an empty magazine.

While being arrested, he allegedly asked the trooper if this would be considered a "mass shooting."

At the time of his arrest, Neylon's pants did not appear to match the pants he was shown wearing inside the mall, charges state. However, they proved to be an "exact match" as Neylon was wearing the pants turned inside out.

Investigators later determined four of the casings recovered from the scene were fired from Neylon's handgun.

"The other four casings recovered were determined to be from a separate firearm," the complaint reads.

The four other suspects, who allegedly ran from the scene, have not been identified.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.

SOURCE: Bring Me The News