Last Saturday night, the calm of Willowstone Park was shattered by gunfire, sending local law enforcement into a frenetic hunt for the culprits. According to reports on Tip411, multiple citizens reported the sound of gunfire at approximately 10:45 PM at Willowstone Park, 1909 95th Ave N. Officers who responded to the scene witnessed a chaotic departure of numerous vehicles from the park, one of which discarded a handgun before accelerating away.
An attempt to stop a second vehicle resulted in a high-speed chase north on West River Road into the City of Champlin. The pursuit ended abruptly when the vehicle crashed into the roundabout at Hayden Lake Road. Two juvenile suspects were apprehended from the wreck, both in possession of handguns. They were later taken to an area hospital with injuries described as non-life threatening.
Meanwhile, back at the park, police conducted a thorough investigation, discovering evidence of the violent altercation. Over 30 shell casings were found, along with significant damage to the community building inside Willowstone Park where the gathering had occurred. Despite the evidence of gunfire both inside and out, no injuries associated with the incident were reported.
The investigation unfolded with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies, including Champlin PD, Maple Grove PD, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Osseo PD, and the Anoka/Champlin FD. As the night progressed, two additional juvenile suspects were nabbed at the park, each in possession of a handgun. With four suspects in custody and several firearms seized, authorities are piecing together the events of that chaotic evening.
