Workers subdue 'active shooter' at Lund boat plant; no serious injuries reported
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Updated: 1:45 p.m.
Authorities in western Minnesota say a man is in custody after allegedly firing a gun at a coworker inside the Lund Boats factory in New York Mills on Thursday morning.
No one was hit by the gunfire. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office credited other workers for their quick response in preventing the suspect from re-entering the building, and then subduing him until officers arrived.
“Had it not been for the quick actions of Lund staff members, the outcome may have been much worse,” the sheriff's office said in a statement.
The sheriff’s office said deputies were called to the Lund Boats facility in New York Mills at about 7:20 a.m. Thursday.
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Authorities said a 21-year-old man reportedly got into a verbal confrontation with a 31-year-old male coworker inside the factory. The 21-year-old then produced a handgun, fired a round at the other employee and chased him outside — possibly firing a second round while doing so. The 31-year-old man was not hit, and was able to get away.
“The suspect was not allowed back into the building due to an employee holding the door (and) restricting access,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Another Lund employee made contact with the suspect outside and the suspect fled, but was caught and subdued by employees prior to law enforcement arriving.”
The sheriff’s office initially said there were no reports of injuries but authorities later clarified to the Wadena Pioneer Journal that there were reports of some minor injuries from efforts to subdue the suspect.
The suspect is being held at the Otter Tail County Jail pending formal charges.
Lund has produced boats in New York Mills since its founding in 1948.
Officials with Lund’s parent company, Brunswick Corp., issued a statement saying they are “working very closely with local law enforcement in Otter Tail County and will continue to support them in their investigation. ... We want to thank our employees who worked quickly to neutralize the situation and appreciate the outreach and support from the local community. We are increasing security at the facility and will continue to support our employees during this time.”
