Charges: Violating protection order, North Branch man crashes into, shoots vehicle at victim’s home

By KSTP

Thomas Goodwin (Chisago County Jail)

A North Branch man has been charged with multiple felonies after he allegedly violated a protection order against him and damaged a car at the victim’s home.

Thomas Goodwin, 36, is charged with making violent threats, first-degree criminal property damage, illegal possession of a suppressor, drive-by shooting and violating a protection order, which is a misdemeanor.

The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy served an order for protection against Goodwin at around 6:20 p.m. Monday. About a half-hour later, dispatchers were called by the person who took out the protection order against Goodwin, saying he’d contacted her and said he was coming to her home in Lent Township.

While the victim wasn’t home at the time, she said others were, including children, and she was concerned for their safety.

Just after 7 p.m., someone inside the home told dispatchers that Goodwin rammed his vehicle into one that was parked in the driveway, likely totaling it. He then allegedly got out of his vehicle, wearing a ballistic vest and holding an AR-style rifle with a suppressor, and fired shots at the vehicle he’d hit.

Witnesses said Goodwin continued firing shots at random as he approached the house but deputies arrived and took him into custody.

Law enforcement found two bullet holes in the vehicle he’d shot but didn’t find any other casings, the sheriff’s office says.

Goodwin’s bail was set at $750,000 without conditions or $350,000 with conditions.

His initial court appearance is set for April 4.