Two teens are arrested for shooting Morrison Co. houses

Two teenage boys were arrested late Tuesday after it was reported they fired a .22-caliber rifle into two homes in Little Falls Township about five miles east of Little Falls.

Morrison County Sheriff Michel Wetzel said interviews with the two suspects, ages 16 and 17, showed there was no clear motive for the shootings.

"About the only thing we've learned is that this was an incredibly reckless, stupid and, as of right now, apparently a random act," Wetzel said. "We don't believe the houses were targeted for any particular reason, other than that they were the houses sitting there when these kids decided they were going to shoot at a couple houses."

The homeowners, none of whom were injured, called 911 to report the shooting about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday. One of the homeowners followed the suspect vehicle and maintained contact with the sheriff's dispatchers by cell phone, Wetzel said.

With information provided by this resident, Morrison County sheriff's deputies, Little Falls and Royalton police officers and State Patrol troopers located the suspect vehicle on Highway 10 near the intersection of Iris Road, about three miles south of Little Falls.

Deputies executed a high risk felony stop and apprehended the 16-year-old and 17-year-old, both of Little Falls. A search of their vehicle revealed a sawed-off .22-caliber rifle and spent casings, the sheriff's department reported.

Both boys are being held at the Lino Lakes Juvenile Detention Center pending the preparation of formal complaints by the Morrison County attorney's office.

Though investigators continue to work on the case, Wetzel said he hopes the county attorney's office considers felony charges against the boys.

"We don't condone shooting at signs or anything else for that matter, and when you pump rounds into a house, now you're playing in the big boys' league, so adult charges would certainly be our preference," Wetzel said.

Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.