(Willmar MN-) A Willmar man with a violent past has a court appearance next week on four firearms-related charges. 21-year-old Weheliye Gaal was arrested May 23rd after he allegedly fired a gun at another vehicle as he was riding in a car on Civic Center Drive near 23rd Street Northeast. The alleged victim recognized Gaal and reported it to police, who later arrested him in Downtown Willmar after finding the car and a 9 millimeter pistol with the serial number scratched off inside. Gaal is charged with:
- 2nd Degree Assault With a Dangerous Weapon,
-Possession of a Firearm After Being Convicted of a Crime of Violence,
-Firearm With a Serial Number Removed, and
-Carrying or Possessing a Pistol in a Public Place Without a Permit.
In Court May 25th Gaal asked for and received a public defender, and conditional bail was set at $35,000. Also, Judge Jennifer Fischer has recused herself from the case.
Willmar Police Chief Jim Felt says three days before the alleged drive-by shooting, Gaal was placed on 5 years probation after pleading guilty to charges of Terroristic Threats and Drug Paraphernalia possession for an incident in 2022...
...Felt says as part of a plea agreement, three other charges were dismissed...
When police searched Gaal's car May 23rd they found court papers that outlined his conditions for parole, including that he not possess firearms.
At Gaal's hearing on the new charges June 8th, he will also face revocation of probation for the prior convictions.