Lake City Man Charged With Attempted Murder Ruled Incompetent
Lake City, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Goodhue County judge has ruled that an elderly Lake City man is incompetent to stand trial on charges connected to a shooting in December that resulted in life-threatening injuries.
Man Faces Attempted Murder and Assault Charges
Eighty-one-year-old William Charles Piar is charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault.
Victim Suffered Life threatening Injuries
According to the criminal complaint against him, Piar is accused of shooting another man in the abdomen while the victim's wife and children were present in their apartment. The shooting occurred near the Lake City Subway restaurant in the 1300 block of North Lakeshore Drive on the afternoon of December 10.
Police Confronted Suspect After Reports of Gunfire
The criminal complaint says a Lake City police officer and a Wabasha County sheriff's deputy responded to the area after receiving reports of gunfire and approached Piar's home, which is located behind the restaurant.
The court document says Piar was found standing in a yard between his home and the building that houses the restaurant. He was ordered to show his hands, but the court document says he refused to remove his right hand from his coat pocket.
Subdued After Being Shot Beanbag Rounds
After Piar failed to comply with repeated orders to show his hand and efforts by law enforcement officers to de-escalate the situation, the Lake City officer went to his squad car and retrieved a less-lethal shotgun that fires beanbag rounds.
Charges Say He Had a Handgun
The criminal complaint says the officer eventually fired the weapon after Piar would not remove his hand from his pocket. After he was struck by the less-lethal round, the complaint says Pyer removed his hand from his pocket and revealed a dark gray or black firearm.
The complaint says he continued ignoring demands to drop the firearm, and the officer continued firing beanbag rounds until Piar fell to the ground and was taken into custody.
Shooting Victim Rushed to Rochester Hospital
While that confrontation was taking place, another police officer found the shooting victim in an apartment located adjacent to the Subway restaurant. He was transported to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester for treatment.
The Goodhue County judge presiding over the case has scheduled a review hearing in November to discuss Piar's status and whether the criminal case can proceed.
The judge also ordered that Piar will remain in custody without bail.
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Gallery Credit: troy dunken
