Two Grand Forks teens face attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting at occupied vehicle
The alleged incident occurred on Jan. 3 but, because both Mason Wyatt Allery and Walker Michael Poitra were under 18 at the time, their cases were originally filed in juvenile court.
Both were officially transferred to adult criminal court Friday, March 28.
Allery, 16, and Poitra, 18, face the exact same 13 charges: five counts of Class A felony attempted murder of a child, five counts of Class C felony reckless endangerment showing extreme indifference, Class C felony terrorizing a child, Class A misdemeanor criminal mischief and Class A misdemeanor unlawful possession of a handgun by a minor.
Class A felonies have maximum 20-year sentences.
At 10:51 p.m. Jan. 3, Grand Forks police officers were dispatched to the area of 1000 N. 42nd St. for a report of what sounded like multiple gunshots, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in both cases.
They located Poitra and Allery — who ran — and apprehended them shortly after, the affidavit said. They alleged finding a teal Taurus 9mm handgun near where Allery was apprehended.
Allery and Poitra allegedly fired multiple rounds at and into a vehicle on two occasions that occurred in quick succession. There were five people inside the vehicle and, during the second shooting, two occupants sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Altru Hospital, the affidavit said.
Multiple witnesses said Poitra was displaying a handgun just before the shooting, and took the bullets out "to show it was real," the affidavit said.
A second affidavit filed in Allery's case says police were dispatched to the Knights Inn, located at 1211 N. 47th St. No. 205, for a report of suspicious activity. A woman said Allery showed her a handgun, proving it was real by taking bullets out and displaying them, the affidavit said.
The woman alleged that she got into a confrontation with Allery in the hallway — which she recorded — during which Allery took something out of his pocket and pointed it in her direction. The woman said it was a gun, and she feared for her life.
Allery and Poitra had initial appearances Friday afternoon, March 28. A preliminary hearing/arraignment has been scheduled for 9 a.m. May 5 in Poitra's case. Allery's next hearing date has not been filed.
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