A Minnetonka man who is not allowed to possess firearms is facing several weapons related charges after he allegedly fired shots at a public boat landing in Minnetrista earlier this month.
Karsten Aleksey Luttschwager, 19, has been charged in Hennepin County Court with one felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm in a municipality and gross misdemeanor counts of carrying a pistol without a permit and illegal possession of a firearm.
Charges say Minnetrista police responded Aug. 6 to the 1400 block of Game Farm Road, near Little Long Lake, on a report of shots fired. Police were subsequently advised by the dispatcher that shots had been fired near a boat landing across the street from a residence.
Police encountered three people at the boat landing when they arrived. Police eventually discovered that Luttschwager had a gun in his possession along with a box of ammunition in his backpack.
Police spoke to the nearby resident who reported hearing five to six shots in two bursts and then went outside and observed three people at the boat landing.
Luttschwager eventually admitted to police that he fired the gun and agreed that it was reckless to fire it in close proximity to houses because someone might get hurt.
Luttschwager has a prior felony conviction in Wright County for receiving stolen property. Charges in that case say he was pulled over by a state trooper while driving a stolen van. Luttschwager admitted to stealing the van from a business. In June of last year, he was granted a stay-of-imposition in the case, meaning if he successfully completed probation, the conviction would be reduced to a misdemeanor. Luttschwager was given credit for five days spent in jail and was placed on probation for a term of three years, which included a condition of not possessing firearms.
Luttschwager was granted a public defender at his initial court appearance on the new Hennepin County charges and was conditionally released from custody with zero bail required by Judicial Officer Lyonel Norris. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on Sept. 9.
There is no indication in court records that Luttschwager has been probation violated on his prior felony conviction as a result of the new charges.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
