Justin Capri Boyland, a 28-year-old man from Minneapolis, was fatally shot on October 26, 2023, at Spring Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. when Boyland accompanied his girlfriend to meet her ex-partner, Tyler Schlotfeldt-Gidney, also 28, to discuss matters related to a child they shared.
According to court documents, Boyland's girlfriend had brought him along because Schlotfeldt-Gidney had been physically abusive in the past, and Boyland
didn't trust him. When they arrived at the park, Schlotfeldt-Gidney approached their vehicle, prompting Boyland to exit. Moments later, gunshots were heard, and Boyland stumbled back into the vehicle with a gunshot wound to his upper right leg.
Emergency services were called, and Boyland was initially transported to a local hospital before being transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center. Doctors reported that the bullet had struck Boyland's femoral artery or nearby area. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, Boyland succumbed to his injuries two days later, on October 28, 2023.
Tyler Schlotfeldt-Gidney was arrested on October 27 and subsequently charged with second-degree murder and felony possession of a firearm. Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a man matching Schlotfeldt-Gidney's description leaving the area after the shooting, placing a handgun in his waistband, and smiling before driving away.
The tragic death of Justin Capri Boyland highlights the devastating impact of gun violence and domestic disputes. His loss is mourned by family and friends, serving as a somber reminder of the need for conflict resolution and the importance of addressing domestic violence in our communities.
