Charges: Lake City Shooting Stemmed Long-Standing from Property Dispute

Attempted Murder Charges Filed Against Alleged Gunman in Lake City Shooting

Lake City, MN (KROC-AM News)- Wednesday’s shooting in Lake City that resulted in a wounded victim stemmed from a multi-year property dispute. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Goodhue County Court on Thursday. On Thursday Lake City Police identified the suspected shooter as 81-year-old William Charles Piar. 

Officers responded to the gunfire near the Lake City Subway restaurant in the 1300 block of North Lakeshore Dr. just before 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. 

Criminal Complaint Describes Officer Attempts to Disarm Shooting Suspect

A Lake City police officer and Wabasha County sheriff’s deputy approached Piar’s home, which is behind the restaurant, and saw Piar standing in a yard between his home and the building that houses the restaurant. 

The officer and deputy gave Piar commands to show his hands. The Lake City man’s left hand was visible but his right was in his coat pocket, the complaint says. 

Piar refused to reveal his right hand despite multiple commands from officers, the complaint says. The officers, who had prior contact with Piar tried to deescalate the situation, but Piar refused to comply, the charges say. 

Other law enforcement arrived at the scene and established a perimeter. The Lake City officer returned his pistol to his squad and grabbed his less-than-lethal shotgun that fires beanbag rounds, the complaint says. 

Piar again refused to show his hands as the officer returned to him. The officer then fired a beanbag round, striking Piar. Piar reacted by taking his right hand from his pocket and revealing a dark grey or black firearm, the charges say. 

Authorities again commanded Piar to drop the firearm and he again refused. The officer continued firing beanbag rounds at Piar, who stayed on his feet and at one point asked officers to shoot him, the complaint says. 

He eventually went to the ground when a beanbag hit him in the side. The charges say Piar was bleeding and was taken to a hospital before being transferred to the Goodhue County Jail. 

While attempting to subdue Piar, first responders learned a man by the subway building had been shot. 

A Lake City police department captain entered an apartment located adjacent to the restaurant and found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. His wife and children were in the home, the complaint says. 

The captain treated the victim until the situation was resolved and paramedics were able to arrive in the home and provide aid. The victim was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. 

Lake City police say the victim’s injuries are considered life-threatening. An update on his conviction is not available and his name has not been released. 

The court document indicates customers were in the restaurant at the time of the shooting. Multiple customers provided statements to investigators. 

Piar is charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault. 

Piar’s conditional bail was set at $2 million following an appearance in Goodhue County Court Friday morning. He is due back in court next month.