Drunken gunshots draw deputies to rural RF home

Posted 9/15/21

TOWN OF RIVER FALLS – A rural River Falls man is facing several charges after allegedly shooting guns toward a building while intoxicated and endangering the safety of two people during an incident …

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Drunken gunshots draw deputies to rural RF home

Posted

TOWN OF RIVER FALLS – A rural River Falls man is facing several charges after allegedly shooting guns toward a building while intoxicated and endangering the safety of two people during an incident Sept. 2.

Lukas J. Nelson, 33, posted a $25,000 signature bond Sept. 3 on felony second-degree recklessly endangering safety (use of a dangerous weapon), operate firearm while intoxicated, disorderly conduct (use of a dangerous weapon), possession of THC and possess drug paraphernalia charges. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $25,000.

According to the complaint: At 10:48 p.m. Sept. 2, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office received three complaints from people concerned that Nelson, who recently moved into N7420 County Road O in the town of River Falls, was shooting guns and yelling, while possibly heavily intoxicated.

Due to past encounters with Nelson, the possibility of his intoxication and his past “disgruntlement” with law enforcement, officers parked down the driveway and approached the residence on foot. Loud music could be heard coming from inside the residence, so officers used a PA system to request Nelson come out with his hands up. He complied and officers placed him in a squad while they completed their investigation. He had glossy eyes, slurred speech and smelled of alcohol. Since it was unknown if Nelson was alone, police swept through the house and property, looking for any other people onsite; there were none.

During the sweep, officers found three firearms inside the master bedroom closet, including a handgun, a shotgun and an AR style rifle. Multiple open containers of alcohol were in the house.

Around the home’s perimeter, deputies located several spent shell casings for a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun and a Winchester .20 gauge. They found three shells on the north deck, which police could tell had been recently fired. Seven .40 caliber shell casings were found at the house’s southwest corner and two were on the deck near the master bedroom door. Numerous shotgun shells were in the same area as the .40 caliber casings, as well as impact marks facing toward a cottage on the property where two people are staying.

One person said he woke up when he heard Nelson outside yelling something about God, then heard gunshots. The victim said Nelson was upset earlier in the day after receiving paperwork from the sheriff’s office. After reading Nelson his Miranda rights and obtaining a search warrant, officers secured the three guns found earlier. They also found 37.7 grams of marijuana and multiple drug paraphernalia items.

Officers transported Nelson to River Falls Area Hospital for a blood draw to measure his blood alcohol content level before taking him to Pierce County Jail. Nelson became upset when an officer provided him a copy of the search warrant paperwork, and said that because he is a Republican, he will shoot his gun when he wants to shoot his gun.

Nelson is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Sept. 20.