A Grand Forks man who fired a shotgun inside a Grand Forks psychiatric clinic was charged with terrorizing and reckless endangerment Friday in Grand Forks District Court.
No one was hurt Thursday during the incident, which lasted about 15 minutes, according to Dr. Thomas Peterson, director of the Stadter Center for Psychiatric Care, part of the Aurora Medical Park on the south end of Grand Forks.
According to court documents, Duane Bohnsack, 54, entered the Center at 1451 44th Ave. S. about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, carrying a 12-gauge shotgun. He was inside an office with a psychologist when he fired once toward the ceiling.
Police were called to the scene and Bohnsack was arrested without incident and taken to Altru Hospital.
About 30 staff members were in the Psychiatric Care building at the time of the incident, Center officials said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Both charges Bohnsack faces are Class C felonies that carry maximum penalties of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Bohnsack appeared Friday, via closed-circuit TV from the Grand Forks jail, before state District Judge Sonja Clapp. He had no attorney.
He complained of chest pain during his arraignment and spoke very emotionally, often sobbing loudly. Clapp turned down his request to be released from custody but promised he would get medical care.
Bohnsack indicated during the hearing he had been receiving care at the Stadter Center, referring to medications he needed. But officials in court and at the Center would not confirm that.
"I don't want to be locked up like this," Bohnsack said. "I want to go back to my house. Lock me up in my house with no bond. But I need my medication . . . I have been a civilian with no history of violence. I didn't know what I was doing. I have so much pain. I am just dying."
Bohnsack owned a business for many years in Grand Forks.
"I've lived in this community for 35 years, and I've never done anything wrong," Bohnsack told Clapp. "I didn't want to harm anyone or . . . not myself. I do not know why I walked into that building."
Peter Welte, Grand Forks County state's attorney, asked Clapp to order Bohnsack be held without bond, citing the nature of the alleged crime and Bohnsack's mental condition.
ADVERTISEMENT
Clapp said Bohnsack would remain in jail until he could appear with a court-appointed attorney for a bond hearing Monday.
Bohnsack said he could not afford his own attorney, citing large medical bills.
Bohnsack was the longtime owner of Stonegate Pet Store in the Grand Cities Mall, formerly called the South Forks Plaza.
Jim Dunavan, owner of the Century 21 realty firm in the Grand Cities Mall, said he worked adjacent to Bohnsack for many years until the pet store changed hands recently.
"He was a really nice guy and got along with everyone," Dunavan said. "He always had a smile on his face."
Herald staff writer Stephen J. Lee contributed to this article.
