Suspect in Benton County Double-Shooting Identified
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has identified the suspect accused of opening fire, injuring two men in Gilmanton Township Sunday afternoon.
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 9900 block of 95th Avenue NE at around 4:45 p.m. after a report that two men had been shot and the suspect was nearby.
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Officers located two victims: a 32-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his neck and a 35-year-old man shot in the abdomen. Both victims were rushed to St. Cloud Hospital and are now in satisfactory condition, authorities say.
The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Ismael Vasquez Santos of Foley, was arrested near the scene without incident and transported to the Benton County Jail, where he awaits his initial court appearance.
Investigators later identified the victims as Gaudencio Martinez, 32, and Martin Ramirez Marcial, 35, both of Foley. According to the investigation, Martinez had been invited to Marcial’s residence in the 9300 block of 95th Avenue NE, which Marcial shared with the suspect Santos. The three men had been drinking together when Santos reportedly became belligerent, threatened to kill both men, and then shot them with a handgun.
Marcial managed to flee the scene and sought help from a nearby resident. Both he and Martinez were given first aid before being transported to the hospital. Authorities recovered a handgun at the property that is believed to be the weapon used in the shooting.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Minnesota State Patrol and Foley Police Department, is continuing to investigate the incident. Santos remains in custody at the Benton County Jail.
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UPDATE: Charges Reveal New Info in Benton Co. Double-Shooting