An 81-year-old Minnesota man who had been living behind a Subway restaurant is accused of opening fire on the shop’s owner following what authorities say was a long-running feud between the two men.
William Piar has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and two counts of second-degree assault, according to local reports, including the Rochester Post Bulletin. The shooting happened Wednesday afternoon in Lake City, a waterfront town along the Mississippi River about 70 miles south of Minneapolis.
Police say Piar lived behind the Subway and nearby businesses. Around 1:30 p.m., he allegedly began firing a gun at the sandwich shop, according to a criminal complaint cited by local radio station KROC. The restaurant’s owner was struck in the abdomen during the gunfire. Authorities say the two men had been involved in ongoing property disputes for several years.
Lake City police officers responding to the scene found Piar in his backyard wearing a black coat and stocking cap. According to court documents, officers ordered him to show his hands, but he refused, keeping one hand in his coat pocket and repeatedly saying no.
Officers then fired a less-lethal shotgun loaded with bean bag rounds, striking Piar and causing him to pull his hand from his pocket, revealing what police described as a dark-colored firearm. Despite repeated commands to drop the weapon, Piar allegedly refused, prompting officers to fire additional bean bag rounds.
At one point during the confrontation, Piar reportedly asked officers to shoot him. After being struck again by less-lethal rounds, he fell to the ground, dropped the gun, and was taken into custody. His left hand was bleeding heavily, and officers provided medical aid before handcuffing him.
Police then rushed to help the victim, who was found inside an apartment connected to the Subway. According to the complaint, he was lying on the floor holding a towel to his abdomen, with a significant amount of blood visible. His wife and children were present, along with Subway employees who were attempting to help him. The man was reportedly moaning in pain and told officers he had been shot.
Once the scene was secured, the victim was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. His current condition has not been released.
Piar appeared in Goodhue County court on Friday morning, where bail was set at $2 million. He is scheduled to return to court next month. Authorities believe customers were inside the restaurant at the time of the shooting.
Stupid decision have consequences