Man From Bagley Accused in Polk County Shooting Near Mentor

Man From Bagley Accused in Polk County Shooting Near Mentor

MENTOR, MN — A 79-year-old Bagley man is accused in connection with a shooting that left one man hospitalized in rural Polk County.

According to Polk County Sheriff reports and court coverage, deputies responded around 2:48 a.m. on Sunday, September 20, to a reported shooting at a property near 32300 110th Avenue Southeast, near Mentor.

Authorities found 55-year-old Shawn Alan Qualley suffering from a gunshot wound. Qualley was transported by ambulance to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks for treatment.

The suspect was identified as Leslie Manford Anderson, 79, of Bagley. Authorities say he was taken into custody without incident at the scene and transported to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston.

According to the criminal complaint as reported by The Watch MN, Anderson is accused of shooting the victim in the head after breaking into a farm shop on the property. The complaint alleges Anderson believed the victim had been stealing from him and admitted breaking into a building on the farm. Two other people at the property reportedly told deputies Anderson also pointed a handgun at them and fired before they drove away to call 911.

Anderson has been reported as facing charges including attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and burglary. Formal charges are listed in Polk County District Court.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office says the incident remains under investigation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.