BLAINE, Minnesota (FOX 9) – The man accused of shooting outside the Northtown Mall in Blaine, leading into the building going into isolationpleaded guilty Tuesday.

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Maurice Neylon, 21, had charged with two felonies in September for discharging a dangerous weapon with intent and threats of violence.

Court records filed Nov. 12 say Neylon pleaded guilty to intentionally discharging a firearm endangering safety in exchange for the other charge being dropped.

Neylon’s sentencing is scheduled for January 28, 2025. He is being held on $1 million bail and remains in custody at the Anoka County Jail.

Context

On Sept. 8, law enforcement responded to reports of shots fired outside the mall on Northtown Drive Northeast. The mall was closed for several hours while police worked to clear the scene.

Authorities say shots were fired in the parking lot area and no one was injured. At least one door and what appeared to be ammunition casings on the ground were damaged.

According to the charges, Neylon was arrested in the area of ​​University Avenue and Maple Lane after troopers saw him fleeing the scene.

The charges say Neylon was found with a gun when he was arrested. The gun was in a “locked” position, indicating it may have been fired recently. While they were in custody, police say Neylon asked them if the incident would be considered a “mass shooting,” the charges allege.

Police say gunshot tests showed four shell casings recovered from the mall parking lot matched Neylon’s gun, while four other shell casings came from a separate gun. Four other people fled the scene after the shooting.

The charging document did not provide a motive for the shooting, but authorities previously said it appeared to stem from an altercation between two groups.