Court documents: Hughes shot bedroom wall before fatal encounter with police

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - Before a fatal encounter with St. Paul police, William Hughes allegedly fired multiple shots into a bedroom wall and pointed a gun at the person who would later call 911, according to a search warrant application filed in Ramsey County District Court.

Investigators say on Aug. 5, St. Paul police officers responded to a call of shots fired at a home in the 900 block of St. Anthony Avenue in St. Paul. When they arrived, they encountered Hughes. At one point, the police fired their guns, killing Hughes.

According to the search warrant application, the day after the fatal officer-involved shooting, investigators interviewed the 911 caller, who said they were staying at Hughes' apartment before the incident. The person said Hughes fell out of his elevated bed and then became "verbally hostile" toward them and then Hughes fired two or three shots at the bedroom wall. The gun jammed, but after clearing the gun, Hughes pointed it at the person, commenting on the color of their hat. The person was able to leave the apartment and call the police.

The police filed an application for search warrant to get the phone records and data for the 911 caller from T-Mobile Wireless.

In a second application for search warrant, investigators are asked to search the residence for bodily fluids, weapons, any writings that may indicate motive, clothing and more. They are also asking permission for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to photograph and shoot video of the scene.

Earlier this month, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter announced the body camera footage of the incident would be released. It is expected to be released by the end of the week.