Bemidji Juvenile Charged with Shooting Parents after Cell Phone Taken

(Star Tribune) – A 16-year-old boy from Bemidji is accused of shooting his parents and a third adult after he lost his cellphone privileges, charges say.

The teen faces four felony charges stemming from the shooting on May 7, including illegal possession of a firearm and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors are asking for the teen to be tried as an adult in Beltrami County District Court.

All victims are expected to recover. The teen’s mom was discharged from a Bemidji hospital; the dad is being treated at a Fargo hospital. She declined interview requests Monday, but in a video from inside the hospital posted to Facebook, the parents extended thanks for the love and support of well-wishers.

“It’s been a rough road, but as a family we will get through this,” the dad said.

“And we still love our son,” the mom added.