Police investigating after stray bullet kills man in Willmar

The Willmar Police Department is investigating after a stray bullet killed a man Friday night.

According to a news release, officers and medics responding to a medical emergency around 7:40 p.m. on the 1000 block of Fourth Street Southwest learned a 41-year-old man was working in his garage when family members saw him collapse suddenly.

The man had a "penetrating injury" to his chest and was rushed to a nearby hospital, but attempts to resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead. The man’s identity was being withheld pending family notification.

Evidence at the scene shows a bullet pierced through a garage wall and struck the victim. Police say there is no indication that the man was an intended target and there is no immediate danger to the public.

On Saturday morning, the Willmar Police Department SWAT team executed a high-risk search warrant on a home in the 1000 block of Third Street Southwest in connection with the man’s death, but no one was arrested, the release stated.

The Willmar Police Department asks anyone with information on this case to call 320-235-2244 or email the department. Tips can also be submitted anonymously.