Andrew G. Heilman, 22, Cottage Grove, was charged in Dakota County District Court Aug.7 with felony criminal damage to property in thefirstdegree with value reduced by more than$1,000.The criminal complaint stated thatat 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, thesuspects 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 carkey, an argument broke out and both parties exchanged words. The reporting party decided toleave and began to drive away. As he was leaving, he saw Heilman point a black firearm at hisvehicle. 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 hadpreviously stated that he had a gun and would shoot him. Heilman said that, after the car keyexchange, the reporting party drove away and as heleft, Heilman became concerned that thereporting party might pull out a gun. Heilman picked up his BB gun and pointed it at thereporting 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 vehicleand shatter the window.Heilman provided the BB gun to an investigator. The BB gun appeared identical to a real gunand had no visible markings that would identify it as a BB gun. The estimated cost to repair thewindow was $1,633.15. A court summons was issued.
