St. Paul Man Charged in July 4 Teen Shooting

SAINT PAUL, Minn - A 49-year-old man was charged Friday with the shooting of a 14-year-old boy on July 4.

Cary Francis Schmidt was charged with second-degree assault at East Belvidere Street and Oakdale.

Paramedics on the scene determined the boy had in shot with a bullet. He was transported to Regions Hospital and is in stable condition.

Investigators say the 14-year-old victim was walking with friends in the area where fireworks were being lit. The victim clutched his neck and realized he was bleeding. No cars were seen in the area at the time of the shooting, prompting officers to initiate a canvass of the area, believing the gun shot was fired from a nearby location. Officers went to numerous homes in and around the area looking for suspects. At 216 East Belvidere, officers made contact with Schmidt.

Investigators found evidence that linked Schmidt to the crime and he was arrested without further incident.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension conducted forensic tests that determined a bullet recovered from the victim was fired by a .22 caliber rifle found in Schmidt’s home by police, according to the complaint.

While motive for the shooting has not been fully established, investigators learned that Schmidt was upset about the use of fireworks in the neighborhood.

A warrant has been issued for Schmidt’s arrest.