A 19-year-old St. Francis man is facing multiple charges after police say he recklessly discharged a BB gun near St. Francis City Hall and within close range of an elementary school, sparking alarm among residents who reported hearing what sounded like live gunfire.
According to a criminal complaint filed October 10, 2025, David Matthew Constable has been charged with recklessly handling or using a dangerous weapon (gross misdemeanor), recklessly handling a gun under a local ordinance (misdemeanor), and disorderly conduct (misdemeanor).
Reports of Shots Fired
The incident began around 2:51 p.m. on September 18, 2025, when police received a call about a male in a black pickup truck firing a weapon outside St. Francis City Hall. Witnesses reported multiple shots in succession.
Officers canvassed the area and located a black 2010 Ford F-150 with two young men inside, parked outside Village Bank. Police identified the driver as Alexander Borkowski and the passenger as Constable.
As Officer Humann approached, he reported hearing a sound consistent with a handgun slide and saw Constable holding what appeared to be a firearm. The officer drew his service weapon and ordered Constable to drop it. Constable complied, telling the officer it was not a real gun.
Admission of Discharge
Police determined the weapon was a CO2-powered BB gun designed to replicate a 1911 handgun. Constable admitted to firing the gun and said the driver was not involved. Both teens confirmed shots had been fired in proximity to St. Francis Elementary School and a nearby playground, though they were unsure of the exact location.
Constable also admitted to “dry-firing” the BB gun inside the truck, aiming at the dashboard and floorboard. Officers noted that the replicas found in the truck — a 1911-style model and a Beretta replica — had functional slides and no orange safety tips, making them appear identical to real handguns.
Proximity to School Grounds
Police emphasized in their report that the discharge occurred within 300 feet of St. Francis Elementary School during a busy time of day, creating risk to both students and nearby residents.
Court Proceedings
Constable has been summoned to appear in Anoka County District Court on November 10, 2025, at 1:15 p.m. before Judge Sean C. Gibbs.
If convicted, he faces up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine for the gross misdemeanor count, plus additional penalties for the misdemeanor charges.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based solely on official Anoka County District Court filings from October 10, 2025.
