Charges: Barry Hawkins Jr. Didn't Shoot Man In Face, But He Illegally Had Gun
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Barry Lee Hawkins Jr., 36, is facing criminal charges in connection to a shooting inside of a Spring Lake Park apartment Sunday night.
He was charged Monday with being a felon in illegal possession of a firearm, and second-degree assault.
The criminal complaint, filed by the Anoka County Attorney's office, says Spring Lake Park police responded to a report of a man who was shot in the face at about 7:15 p.m. at a building on Buchanan Street Northeast.
Witnesses told investigators Hawkins Jr. went to the victim's apartment to see if he could buy marijuana. Soon after he returned to his apartment, the victim showed up. Hawkins Jr. later told police the man threatened him, and he fired a shot.
Investigators say the victim wasn't actually shot at all.
Hawkins Jr. was arrested, and a gun and ammunition were found in his apartment. He is barred from possessing such a weapon because he is on felony probation in connection to an attempted robbery conviction from 2019.
He could face up to 22 years in prison if convicted.