APPLE VALLEY, Minn. — Two men are now facing charges in connection with a shooting in Apple Valley Sunday night, that left a mother dead.
Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced Tuesday, July 12, that Billy Joe Pryor, Jr. of Apple Valley is charged with one count each of second-degree assault and possession of a pistol without a permit, stemming from the July 10 shooting.
Also on Tuesday, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner identified the deceased 49-year-old Michelle McGill, Pryor's mother. Her manner of death was ruled a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds. According to the autopsy, McGill was shot ten times.
On Friday, July 15, the Dakota County Attorney announced that 39-year-old Willie John Selmon II was charged with second-degree assault and dangerous weapon violation. According to County Attorney Kathryn Keena's press release, Selmon was McGill's ex-boyfriend.
On the day of the shooting, the Apple Valley Police Department posted on social media that officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 900 block of Oriole Drive around 6:30 p.m. Callers told 911 operators that multiple individuals armed with weapons were firing on each other.
When they arrived, officers located one individual, later identified as McGill, already dead from at least one gunshot wound. On Monday, Apple Valley police released a statement saying McGill was found with a gun in her hand.
Authorities said Pryor also suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the exchange and was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released. He was then taken into custody after police say he admitted to participating in the shooting.
Officials say witnesses led them to believe a suspect vehicle had fled the scene following the armed confrontation. Investigators soon learned that the driver of that vehicle was Selmon and he drove to a hospital in Burnsville, suffering from gunshot wounds to the head. He was listed in serious condition upon arrival.
According to Pryor's charging documents, Selmon told police he went to the house that day to pick up some of his belongings and was subsequently approached by Pryor. He then told police Pryor fired shots next to him as they both sat in their respective vehicles.
He went on to say he then exited the vehicle and ran in front of McGill's vehicle, believing Pryor would stop shooting if his mother was in between them. That's when, according to court documents, the man said McGill was struck by a bullet and killed as she sat inside her own vehicle.
Apple Valley police say there is no reason to believe anyone else was involved in the fatal shooting. They are being assisted in the investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Selmon appeared in court on July 15 and his bail was set at $500,000 without conditions. He is due back in court on Aug. 24. Pryor is due back in court on July 27, with his bail set to $500,000.
In their press release, Keena said, “As indicated in the news release related to charges filed against Billy Pryor, this is an ongoing case and additional charges will be filed related to the murder of Ms. McGill once the investigation is completed.”
Friends have set up a GoFundMe account to support McGill's family.
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