2 Charged After Apple Valley Woman Shot, Killed Amid Gunfight
APPLE VALLEY—Two men suspected in a gunfight outside an Apple Valley home earlier this week that left a 49-year-old woman dead have both now been charged.
The victim was found in a vehicle, shot 10 times and was the mother of one of the suspects, identified as Billy Joe Pryor, Jr., 25.
Pryor, of Apple Valley, was charged with one count of 2nd-degree assault and one count of possession of a pistol without a permit in connection to the shooting shortly before 6:30 p.m. on the 900 block of Oriole Dr.
The other man accused in the shooting, 39-year-old Willie John Selmon, II, was hospitalized for several days but as of Friday was booked at the Dakota County Jail on charges of felony discharge and 2nd-degree assault.
Authorities identified the victim as Michelle McGill, 49.
According to a criminal complaint filed in court:
On July 10 around 6:30 p.m., Apple Valley police officers responded to the residence after several reports of shots fired. A person was reported laying on the ground by a vehicle at the residence and a black male wearing black pants with braided hair ran behind a house across the street.
PREVIOUSLY: Woman Killed, 2 Injured in Apple Valley Shooting
Arriving on scene, an officer observed a black male with dreadlocks wearing black pants running towards the vehicle in the driveway from a nearby residence. The male was later identified as Pryor.
The officer saw the deceased female lying next to the vehicle in the driveway, and she appeared to have suffered multiple gunshot wounds to her lower abdomen, a shot to the chest and a shot to her thigh.
Witnesses reported seeing a tan SUV leaving the scene after the gunshots ended. A short time later, a tan SUV arrived at a hospital in Burnsville and Selmon went in with gunshot wounds to his head, the criminal complaint said.
Selmon was transported to another hospital where officers took a statement from him. He remained hospitalized for several days and underwent surgery before being booked into jail.
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During his statement to police, Selmon stated he’d been in a long-term relationship with McGill but they recently separated. Selmon and McGill previously shared the residence in Apple Valley.
On July 10th, he went to the residence to obtain some of his personal property, the charges against Pryor said. When he arrived at the residence, McGill and Pryor were in their respective vehicles parked in the driveway.
Selmon parked his SUV in the driveway behind McGill’s vehicle, walked to the garage to retrieve some belongings and then returned to his SUV.
Pryor backed his vehicle up so he was parked adjacent to Selmon’s vehicle, with Selmon’s passenger side next to Pryor’s driver’s side. Pryor then made a statement to Selmon about having a gun, the documents said. Pryor then allegedly fired shots at Selmon as they were both sitting in their respective vehicles.
Shots fired by Pryor hit Selmon in the face.
A police perimeter on the 900 block of Oriole Dr. in Apple Valley after a shooting left 1 dead and 1 injured. Submitted photo
After being shot, Selmon exited his vehicle and ran to the front of McGill’s vehicle, apparently believing Pryor would stop shooting if his mother was between them.
Pryor exited his vehicle, went to the passenger’s side and the two exchanged gunfire.
During the gunfire, McGill was seated in her vehicle in the driveway, between Pryor and Selmon, and was fatally shot.
An autopsy was later performed, finding that McGill suffered ten gunshot wounds.
Selmon was shot twice in the head, with one bullet lodged in his jaw area, which required surgery to remove, documents said.
“This is an ongoing case and additional charges will be filed related to the murder of Ms. McGill once the investigation is completed,” Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said in a written statement statement. “My deepest sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Ms. McGill for their great loss.”
Keena told the Pioneer Press that ballistic and forensic evidence will play a role in whether homicide charges are filed against one or both of the shooters.
Pryor had his first court appearance on the charges Tuesday and bail was set at $500,000 ($300,000 with conditions). His next court appearance is scheduled for July 28 in Hastings. Selmon was also being held on $500,000 bail.
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PREVIOUSLY: Woman Killed, 2 Injured in Apple Valley Shooting