Minnesota authorities charge two men in separate firearm incidents

Two separate incidents involving firearms have led to criminal charges in Minnesota.

In Clay County, 43-year-old Cole Lee Vanderlinden of Glyndon faces charges of intentional discharge of a dangerous weapon and fifth-degree drug possession. Authorities allege that on October 25, 2026, Vanderlinden used an AR-style rifle to fire approximately 20 rounds toward three hunters in a cattail area. According to the Clay County Sheriff's Office, the hunters were wearing blaze orange gear and had yelled for the shooter to stop. Prosecutors claim Vanderlinden made eye contact with a person confronting him but continued firing before telling the group to ‘get over it.’

In Eden Prairie, 38-year-old Fred Alexander Jones of Lewiston has been charged with felony firearm possession. The charge follows an October 19 altercation at a local business where witnesses reported Jones brandishing a handgun during an argument. Police recovered a handgun from a nearby vehicle. Prosecutors allege Jones is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior felony conviction for larceny of a handgun in North Carolina. Jones was released on $5,000 bail with electronic monitoring.