Eric Lee Budreau, 26, of Cass Lake, was charged Friday in Cass County District Court with five felonies, including two counts of attempted murder, in relation to an incident Thursday in Cass lake.
Budreau was charged with first-degree premeditated attempted murder with a firearm; second-degree attempted murder; second-degree assault with a firearm; firearm violation by a felon convicted of a crime of violence; and possession of a pistol or assault weapon by a person convicted or adjudicated delinquent for a crime of violence.
Budreau's bail was set at $1 million. He remains in custody in the Crow Wing County Jail.
According to the criminal complaint:
About 2 a.m. Thursday, Cass County Sheriff's deputies and Leech Lake Tribal Police officers responded to a report of shots being fired on Waboose Drive in Cass Lake. A deputy identified Budreau and another man, identified in the complaint as the victim, arguing in the street and told them both to get down on the ground.
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Budreau took off running. The other man told the deputy that Budreau had a gun. The deputy pursued Budreau on foot, repeatedly ordering him to stop and get on the ground. Eventually, Budreau obeyed the deputy's commands to get on the ground, and he was handcuffed.
Backup officers arrived and traced Budreau's path when he was fleeing from the deputy. They found Budreau's 9mm handgun with a live round in the chamber and the magazine removed. They found the magazine containing live rounds nearby.
The victim said Budreau had shot at him but said he was reluctant to give a statement for fear he would be killed in retaliation. But he said he and Budreau were arguing because Budreau wanted him to join the Native Mob, and he
didn't want to join the gang. He said Budreau shot at his feet twice and then put the gun to the victim's head and pulled the trigger. The gun jammed, so Budreau cleared the misfire as if in preparation to shoot again. The victim said he then charged Budreau and began to wrestle with him. At that point, the deputy arrived, and Budreau fled the scene.
In the area where the shooting occurred, deputies found two spent 9mm shells and fresh bullet gouges in the pavement. They also found a live cartridge on the ground in the same area.
Budreau has previously been convicted of third-degree assault Aug. 31, 2007, in Cass County.
In addition to the Cass County Sheriff's Office and Leech Lake Tribal Police, the case is being investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. The case is being prosecuted by Cass County Attorney Christopher Strandlie.
The Bemidji Pioneer and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
