Rochester pastor charged for shooting granddaughter

Published 11:11am Friday, January 18, 2013
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ROCHESTER — A Rochester pastor is charged with a felony for shooting and wounding his granddaughter after mistaking her for an intruder last month.

Sixty-one-year-old Stanley Wilkinson is charged with intentional discharge of a firearm that endangered safety. A court appearance is scheduled Feb. 25.

Wilkinson told police he grabbed his pistol after hearing a noise outside his house Dec. 10 and fired two rounds after seeing what he thought was someone trying to open the deck door. It turned out to be his 16-year-old granddaughter, who was struck once in the neck.

The teen had been living with her grandparents. She told police she left the house without her grandparents knowing.

Wilkinson is pastor at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Rochester. Calls left for him were not immediately returned Thursday night.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/chelsea.hauschildt.1 Chelsea Hauschildt

    Are you kidding me?? It was an accident,I’m sure he feels pretty crappy already! Jeez,this court system really sucks!!!

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    • http://www.facebook.com/syzygos Chris Wood

      You’re right, you should be allowed to shoot anyone you want, and just say “oh it was an accident” and everything will be just fine.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=827885482 Ben Johnson

    Ya the court system really sucks because the guy shot someone and is in trouble. It may have been an accident but he still did it. When will people learn that they have to deal with the consequences of breaking the law.

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    • SS

      He shot who he thought was an intruder in his residence. Think of that when somebody comes into your house at night and u can’t defend yourself. It’s a tragic story all around.

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    • JC

      “Minnesota’s statute states:
      The intentional taking of the life of another is not authorized by section 609.06, except when necessary in resisting or preventing an offense which the actor reasonably believes exposes the actor or another to great bodily harm or death, or preventing the commission of a felony in the actor’s place of abode.”

      Definitely bad luck all around but what law was broken? I don’t get it.

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      • http://www.facebook.com/william.hinds.7 William Hinds

        What law wasn’t broken??? read the rules of deadly force…

        1. Reasonably in fear of death or great bodily harm for yourself or another.

        2. Must have reluctantly entered the conflict.

        3. Must have no reasonable means of retreat.

        4. No lesser force will suffice to stop the threat.

        His life nor anyone else in that house was in danger of great bodily harm… she was still outside

        This is the problem responsible gun owners have…. stupid gun owners… and what is the first thing you are taught about any gun???

        Make sure you know what you are shooting at!!!

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      • JC

        William… you are correct. He could have yelled out a verbal warning such as, “Who goes there?…I am armed!” I just hope if I’m ever startled from a deep sleep by someone rattling the door/window, I’ve sense enough to holler first. Even if it is a criminal, it would be better for me emotionally and financially if they escape.

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      • Matt Moritz

        Though I don’t think this guy should have been charged…at least not with a felony! The fact that he fired through the storm door is without the person actually entering the house first is probably the main reason why he is being charged…but I would hope that he would plea down to a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor.

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  • Josh Meres

    He is only being charged because of the gun control activity going on. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be getting charged and it would be ruled an accident. The media can’t afford to show people getting away with any type of gun accidents right now.

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  • imnotclennon

    So if I shoot my spouse in my house in the middle of the night, I can just say I was confused?

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