DULUTH — A man allegedly fired numerous shots into a pickup truck, injuring a female passenger, after he had arranged to buy marijuana from the driver.
Evan Warren Edblom, 19, of Duluth Township, was charged Monday with four felonies after the incident near his home last week.
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A criminal complaint says the victim, Chenoah Couch, 19, was struck in the foot by one of the bullets. She was with her boyfriend at the time, and Edblom reportedly told authorities they did not have a “good history,” but authorities said there was no altercation prior to the shooting.
According to the complaint:
Police were contacted around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday by staff at Aspirus St. Luke’s hospital, where Couch was receiving treatment. The victim and her boyfriend were initially not forthcoming with information but eventually disclosed that the shooting had occurred on the 6200 block of Bergquist Road.
The boyfriend, 17, said he had been contacted by someone identifying as “Ryan” on an encrypted messaging app and agreed to drive to a spot near his home to sell $100 worth of marijuana.
As they were waiting in the truck, the couple said a man wearing all black and a dark balaclava approached, said something about “grabbing money,” and brandished a handgun. The teen began driving away, and the man fired approximately 10 rounds at the truck.
The driver then received a message from the planned buyer stating: “No way I really hit 0/10.”
The teen told investigators he believed the suspect may have actually been someone he knew as Evan, who had been present at a prior transaction involving a different person.
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St. Louis County sheriff’s deputies canvassed the area and found Edblom’s sister, who suggested he may have been involved. Investigators then obtained a warrant for his residence.
Edblom was arrested in a bedroom, where authorities also recovered a .22 caliber handgun, ammunition and other evidence.
In a statement, Edblom allegedly admitted he used a fake name to text the seller, despite their past differences, because it’s difficult to obtain marijuana “while living out in the country.” He said he donned the mask so the seller wouldn’t recognize him.
Edblom stated he approached the truck and saw the driver put his hand near his waistband but acknowledged he did not see a gun and had not received threats from anyone. He admitted to firing the shots with a pistol he stole from his uncle.
Couch was struck in the foot between two toes, suffering a fracture and requiring stitches at the hospital.
Edblom is charged with two counts of second-degree assault, intentional discharge of a firearm that endangers safety and theft.
Judge Shawn Reed ordered unconditional bail at $50,000 and also set conditional release options. Edblom remained in custody Monday night.
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His next court appearance was set for Feb. 18.
The Trust Project
