Charges Filed Against I-35 Freeway Shooter
Donald Ray Sanderson, 41, of Minneapolis was charged today (7/23/24) with multiple felonies in alleged connection with the shut down of Interstate 35 near Faribault Sunday, July 21, 2024.
Sanderson made his first court appearance before Karie Anderson, Judge with the 3rd Judicial District in a Rice County courtroom.
The Criminal Complaint states, "On July 21, 2024 an agent of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office and Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team (SMVCET), learned that Donald Ray Sanderson, was approaching Minnesota after traveling to California. California is known as a source state for controlled substances. SMVCET had been investigating Sanderson for narcotics related crimes."
"Law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle on Interstate 35, in Steele County by utilizing stop sticks. The vehicle pulled over at mile marker 37 at about 2:44 pm and Lindsey Wade Stolpa, 28, exited the vehicle. The vehicle then continued north on I-35."
The complaint notes Stolpa was arrested and told law enforcement Sanderson had a gun in the car with him.
"Law enforcement continued to follow the vehicle until it came to a stop at approximately 2:57 pm near mile marker 57, within the city limits of Faribault due to debilitating damage. Sanderson exited the vehicle holding a firearm. The Agent who had been following Sanderson exited his vehicle and ordered Sanderson to drop the weapon. Sanderson did not do so and fired a single round into the ground near his person."
The Criminal Complaint says, "Sanderson continued to ignore law enforcement commands to drop his weapon and law enforcement shut down the interstate as they attempted to negotiate with him. At 6:52 pm, Sanderson attempted to shoot a drone and then at 6:58 pm attempted to shoot himself under the chin. However, he lost the firearm and he fled east from the interstate into an open farm field. An Apple Valley K-9 was deployed and the dog took down Sanderson."
Sanderson's vehicle was searched pursuant to a warrant where, "Hypodermic needles were littered throughout the vehicle. White powder and white pills were on the driver's seat."
The Complaint alleges," Total weight of methamphetamine located in the vehicle was 44 pounds."
Sanderson was charged with four felony drugs counts, two possession and two sale and a count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The Criminal Complaint added, "Defendant has an extensive criminal history."
A News Release from the Rice County Sheriff's Office stated, "The incident necessitated a shut down of the interstate," (both directions) from 2:52 pm until shortly after 7:00 pm.
Area residents were also told to shelter in place. "For the next several hours, the man paced around this area of I-35 armed with a handgun."
The Rice County Sheriff's Office was assisted by South Metro SWAT, Minnesota State Patrol and it's Special Response Team (SRT), the Dakota County Sheriff;s Office Drone Unit, and the Faribault Police and Northfield Police Departments.
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