The former boyfriend of an Apple Valley woman killed Sunday while he exchanged gunfire with her son has been charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm.
Willie John Selmon II, 39, of Apple Valley, was charged in Dakota County District Court on Thursday in connection with Sunday’s gun battle that killed Michelle McGill, 49, as she sat in her car in the driveway of her home.
McGill was caught in the crossfire between Selmon and her 25-year-old son, Billy Joe Pryor Jr., also of Apple Valley, according to charges against both men. She suffered 10 gunshot wounds.
Prosecutors on Tuesday charged Pryor with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a pistol without a permit after a previous conviction.
Selmon suffered gunshot wounds to his face and head. He was released from the hospital Thursday, then booked into the Dakota County Jail.
Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena reiterated Friday that ballistic and forensic evidence will play a role in whether homicide charges are filed against one or both of the alleged shooters.
“As indicated in the news release related to charges filed against Billy Pryor, this is an ongoing case and additional charges will be filed related to the murder of Ms. McGill once the investigation is completed,” Keena said in a statement.
PRYOR ALLEGEDLY FIRED FIRST
According to the criminal charges, Apple Valley police officers responded to the home in the 900 block of Oriole Drive around 6:30 p.m. Sunday after several reports of shots fired. McGill was found dead next to a car in the driveway. She had multiple gunshot wounds to her lower abdomen, a shot to the chest and one to her thigh.
Witnesses reported seeing a tan SUV leaving the scene after the gunshots ended. A short time later, Selmon pulled up to M Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville in the SUV with two gunshot wounds.
Selmon was transported to another hospital, where officers took a statement from him. Selmon said he’d been in a long-term relationship with McGill but they recently separated. He said they previously shared the home in Apple Valley and he went there on Sunday to retrieve some of his property.
When he arrived, McGill and Pryor were in their cars in the driveway. Selmon said he parked his SUV in the driveway behind McGill’s car, walked to the garage to grab some belongings and then back to his SUV.
Pryor backed his vehicle up so he was parked adjacent to Selmon’s SUV and then made a statement about having a gun, charges say. Pryor then fired shots at Selmon as they were both sitting in their vehicles. Selmon took shots to his face and head.
He got out of his SUV and ran to the front of McGill’s vehicle “believing Pryor would stop shooting if his mother was between them,” the charges read.
After Pryor exited his car and went to the passenger’s side, the two exchanged gunfire. It was during this volley of shots that McGill, who was still in her car situated between Pryor and Selmon, was fatally shot.
As Pryor ran from the home, Selmon followed and continued to fire shots at him, charges allege. Bullet holes were found in a nearby home, which was occupied by several people when struck.
Selmon does not have a permit to carry a pistol, authorities say.
Selmon made an initial court appearance on the charges Friday. Bail was set at $500,000 or $300,000 with conditions and he remained jailed Friday. He is due back in court Aug. 24.
Prior also remained jailed Friday in lieu of $500,000 bail or $300,000 with conditions. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 27.
