Andrew G. Heilman, 22, Cottage Grove, was charged in Dakota County District Court Aug. 7 with felony criminal damage to property in the first degree with value reduced by more than $1,000.

The criminal complaint stated that at 5:39 p.m. Nov. 24, 2020, officers responded to a report of weapon discharge at a business parking lot in West Saint Paul. When officers arrived, the suspects had left the scene. The reporting party stated he had arranged to meet with his ex-girlfriend to get his spare vehicle key. During a phone call prior to the meet up, the ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend, Heilman, threatened to beat him up.

As planned, both parties drove to the meet up location. While attempting to exchange the car key, an argument broke out and both parties exchanged words. The reporting party decided to leave and began to drive away. As he was leaving, he saw Heilman point a black firearm at his vehicle. Seconds later, the reporting party’s rear window shattered. A gunshot was not heard.

Heilman admitted to meeting with the reporting party. He claimed that the reporting party had previously stated that he had a gun and would shoot him. Heilman said that, after the car key exchange, the reporting party drove away and as he left, Heilman became concerned that the reporting party might pull out a gun. Heilman picked up his BB gun and pointed it at the reporting party’s vehicle. He then claimed that he accidentally pulled the trigger because he was wearing heavy winter gloves. Heilman then heard the BBs strike the reporting party’s vehicle and shatter the window.

Heilman provided the BB gun to an investigator. The BB gun appeared identical to a real gun and had no visible markings that would identify it as a BB gun. The estimated cost to repair the window was $1,633.15. A court summons was issued.