Police say a St. Paul man, they believe was upset over fireworks being shot off in his neighborhood, shot a 14-year-old boy on the Fourth of July.

The West St. Paul teen was standing with a group of more that 50 people lighting off fireworks on East Belvidere Street and Oakdale Avenue when his neck started bleeding. At first, he thought he had been hit by a stray firework, but eventually realized he'd been shot.

After going door to door to find out more about the incident, police arrested 49-year-old Cary Schmidt who lives less than a block away. He was arrested on probable cause of aggravated assault.

Police say the group had been lighting off illegal fireworks, but do not condone the man's actions.

"When someone is willing to take a gun and fire into the direction of people who are using fireworks, that's over the top," said Sgt. Paul Schnell.

The victim's cousin said he was taken out of a medically induced coma Sunday, but is still listed in critical condition.

Schmidt's brother says he has a drinking problem. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS learned Schmidt does have a DWI conviction, but could not find any past assault charges.

The group says they did not receive any complaints prior to the incident.