Suspect Arrested After Early-Morn

Incident

Police responded shortly after 4:20 a.m. to a shooting on 8th Avenue South in

St. Cloud. A 44-year-old was shot twice, and a 55-year-old was injured with a blunt object while trying to intervene. Both suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Response and Arrest

Officers arrived within minutes, secured the scene, and recovered a handgun.

After a brief foot pursuit, police arrested 31-year-old Austin Gerads. Authorities said there was no ongoing threat to the public.

Investigation

The shooting occurred near St. Cloud State University.

Residents reported hearing arguments and gunshots.

Ballistic tests linked the recovered handgun to the shooting, and investigators reviewed surveillance and digital evidence.

Charges and Aftermath

Gerads faces two counts of first-degree assault and felony handgun possession.

He is jailed without bail as leaders urged calm and increased patrols.