Accident – Death – Obituary News : A St. Paul resident, Greg Vang, was sentenced to five years in prison on Monday for a disturbing incident involving an AR-15 rifle. The incident took place at the family’s residence on the East Side of St. Paul. This troubling event unfolded shortly after Vang returned home from a domestic abuse class.
Vang, who has a troubling history of domestic violence-related convictions, ordered his son to fetch the AR-15 rifle from upstairs. He then proceeded to threaten a woman and himself in front of six children, before firing a round into the living room wall. The police were alerted to the situation after a shots-fired call was made from the home on Sims Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a tense situation where Vang had barricaded himself in the garage with the AR-15 rifle. He adamantly refused to surrender, stating that he would rather die. Eventually, after an hour-long standoff, the SWAT team was able to apprehend Vang. A search of the premises led to the discovery of additional firearms and ammunition, further escalating the severity of the situation.
Vang’s public defender argued that recent events had served as a wake-up call for Vang, pointing to his completion of a GED and drug treatment program as signs of progress. However, the Assistant Ramsey County Attorney highlighted Vang’s repeated violations of probation over the years, underscoring the inherent risk to public safety that Vang posed.
In sentencing Vang to five years in prison, Judge DeAnne Hilgers emphasized the gravity of the offense, particularly the fact that it occurred in the presence of children. Given Vang’s extensive criminal history and track record of probation violations, the judge expressed skepticism about his ability to successfully complete probation.
This harrowing incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with a history of domestic violence. The swift and decisive actions taken by law enforcement in this case underscore the importance of prioritizing public safety and holding perpetrators of violence accountable for their actions..
