(KNSI) – A St. Cloud man has been convicted of shooting another man outside an apartment complex in 2024, leaving the victim with a bullet lodged in his spine.
A Stearns County jury found 28-year-old Lara Tetyang Puok guilty last week of first-degree and second-degree assault after a four-day trial. Sentencing is scheduled for August 6th at 9:30 a.m.
The case stems from a shooting on October 19th, 2024. Around 1:55 a.m., authorities responded to a report of gunfire outside a building on Rivercrest Drive. A short time later, a man who had been shot several times arrived at CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital. He was severely injured, with bone fragments and a bullet found lodged in his spinal column, which limited mobility in his right leg.
Investigators learned that two women had brought the victim to the hospital. They told police they heard a gunshot and ran outside to find the man lying in the grass.
The shooting happened after an argument involving the victim and Puok. Witnesses said Puok had accused the man of assaulting his nephew before striking him. The man hit back, and Puok then pulled a gun and shot the victim as he tried to run away.
A nationwide arrest warrant was issued for Puok, who was taken into custody in Des Moines two days after the shooting.
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