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By Joe Wicklund
The Hermantown Police Department responded to multiple reports of a suspect threatening an individual with a gun Wednesday on Timber Ridge Lane in Hermantown.
Shortly before 4:30 p.m., the HPD responded to the 4200 block of Timber Ridge Lane, where officers learned the suspect had left the immediate area in a vehicle. HPD and assisting agencies located the vehicle a short distance away and arrested Gary Robert Holter.
Two firearms were in Holter’s possession at the time of his arrest.
“This was a very fluid and dangerous situation especially because it occurred in a high-traffic area,” said Jim Crace, Hermantown’s Chief of Police. “More concerning, a Hermantown School bus was in the process of delivering children home after school and drove into the area, but credit the bus driver who acted swiftly and removed the bus and children from the area immediately.”
The preliminary investigation indicates this was a domestic disturbance and the 75-year-old Holter used a firearm to threaten to kill another individual.
“This incident highlights how dangerous domestic disturbances can be for our officers, and in this case, bystanders and others in the area due to the incident taking place outside, and in a multi-unit housing area,” said Crace. “We are grateful for the efforts of our officers and the assisting agencies in bringing this situation to a quick, safe closure.”
Holter is being held at the St.Louis County jail, and formal charges are being requested for Attempted Second Degree Murder, Second Degree Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Third Degree DWI, and Carrying a Pistol While Intoxicated.
There is no ongoing threat to the safety of the public following this arrest.
The HPD was assisted by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department, Proctor Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and Minnesota DNR.This is an active investigation.