Shortly after 4:20 a.m. on November 23, 2025, gunfire disrupted the quiet of South St. Cloud when police responded to a shooting in the 800-block of 8th Avenue South. Officers found two injured victims: a 44-year-old who had been shot twice and a 55-year-old who was assaulted with a blunt object after attempting to intervene. Both were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police arrived within minutes, secured the area, and recovered a handgun near the scene. A brief foot pursuit followed, leading to the arrest of 31-year-old Austin Gerads of St. Cloud. Authorities credited rapid response, witness accounts, and nearby surveillance for the swift apprehension, and stated there was no ongoing threat to the public.

The shooting occurred in a mixed residential area near St. Cloud State University. Although few people were outside at that early hour, residents reported hearing arguments, gunshots, and footsteps, followed by the sight of flashing lights and officers sealing off the block for investigation.

Multiple agencies processed the scene, collecting shell casings, examining the building, and interviewing neighbors. Ballistic testing later confirmed the recovered handgun was used in the shooting. Investigators also began reviewing digital evidence, including camera footage and phone records.

Gerads was charged with two counts of first-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and felony possession of a handgun without a permit. He was booked into the Stearns County Jail and held without bail pending a preliminary hearing.

City and university leaders urged calm and vigilance, announcing increased patrols and safety reminders. While rare for the area, the incident reignited community discussions about violence and safety as residents awaited further updates from police.