A close call on a Mankato road Monday night has led to the arrest of a man with a criminal past. According to a Facebook post by the Department of Public Safety, 43-year-old Joshua Raymond Armendariz is in custody following an alleged drive-by shooting incident that left one man shaken but unharmed.

Reports indicate that the victim, who has not been identified, was driving on Riverfront Drive around 9:45 pm when he heard what sounded like a gunshot. He then discovered damage to his car consistent with a bullet hole. The victim had previously noted a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot, and after dialing 911, he found himself being followed by that very car, which managed to pull up alongside him before the alleged shot was fired.

Armendariz, the reported driver of the suspect vehicle, was subsequently stopped by North Mankato officers. Inside his car, law enforcement discovered a stolen weapon. The suspect's extensive criminal history has led authorities to request multiple charges, including drive-by shooting, 2nd degree assault, possession of a stolen firearm, and illegal possession of a firearm, as stated in the Department's social media release.

While Armendariz's motives remain unconfirmed, the investigation continues to piece together the events of that night. Meanwhile, the community finds itself grappling with the reality that violence can erupt even in the most mundane of circumstances. As charges are requested and Armendariz awaits his fate, public safety officers take stock of a close shave that could have easily turned tragic.