Over a $100 debt, a late-night argument in Fridley escalated into a hail of gunfire that prosecutors say easily could have turned deadly.
According to charging documents, a Fridley man is facing a slate of felony counts after he allegedly fired into a friend's minivan during a dispute over the unpaid cash. The confrontation unfolded Tuesday night in the 5800 block of 4th Street Northeast in Fridley, where the victim had started live‑streaming the encounter on Facebook. Despite multiple shots, the victim was not hit.
Neighbors reported the chaos in real time. Multiple 911 callers said they heard rapid gunfire and saw a vehicle speeding away from the scene. Officers later found the victim near Highway 252 and 70th Avenue in Brooklyn Center.
As first detailed by MN CRIME, prosecutors say 23‑year‑old Darien Leray Mansell of Fridley approached the victim's minivan, tapped a Glock 17 on the passenger‑side window, and demanded his $100 back. When the driver took off, Mansell allegedly fired multiple rounds while chasing the vehicle as it fled.
Investigators say they later recovered five shell casings from the Fridley address and counted at least four bullet holes in the van. Officers also reviewed the victim's Facebook Live video and reported that the footage lined up with his version of events.
Charges and penalties
The criminal complaint lists several serious felonies, including attempted second‑degree murder, second‑degree assault with a dangerous weapon, first‑degree aggravated robbery, and drive‑by shooting toward an occupied motor vehicle.
On paper, the potential penalties are steep. Attempted second‑degree murder and first‑degree aggravated robbery each carry statutory maximum sentences of up to 20 years in prison. A drive‑by shooting at an occupied vehicle may be punishable by up to 10 years and a $20,000 fine.
Minnesota law also includes a firearm mandatory‑minimum statute that can add years to a sentence when a gun is possessed or used during certain felonies. The statutory language for these offenses, including Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 609 and Minn. Stat. §609.11, is available from the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes and the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Investigation and next steps
Court documents reviewed by MN CRIME state that the victim told officers he had borrowed the $100 roughly four months earlier to buy diapers. What started as a small personal loan, investigators say, spiraled into a violent confrontation captured live for anyone watching online.
According to prosecutors, the case has been filed in Anoka County. The charges are pending, and no plea has been reported at this time.
