Willmar Police Department

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Willmar Police Department The Willmar Police Department is dedicated to provide fair and impartial police services to all persons through education and enforcement

Thank you to Taylor and Starbucks! She dropped off hot coffee and sweets for National First Responder Day! Thank you T...
28/10/2026

Thank you to Taylor and Starbucks! She dropped off hot coffee and sweets for National First Responder Day! Thank you Taylor! What a great day for a hot cup of joe!

***UPDATE***The results for the drug takeback are in! The Elk's location took in 56 pounds of old prescriptions and the...
08/10/2026

***UPDATE***
The results for the drug takeback are in! The Elk's location took in 56 pounds of old prescriptions and the Sheriff's department took in 85 pounds of old prescriptions. That's a total of 141 pounds of old medication taken out of homes and properly disposed of. Great work everyone!

We will be back at the Elk's on E. Hwy 12 for the Rx takeback on October 24th!

08/10/2026

***UPDATE***

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 10/08/2026

Case #: 26010931

RE: Update on Motor Vehicle Crash

Case #: 26010931

The drivers of the motorcycle vs pickup truck crash that occurred on 10/06/2026 at 19th Ave./7th St. SW have been identified. The

The drivers of the motorcycle vs pickup truck crash that occurred on 10/06/2026 at 19th Ave./7th St. SW have been identified. The driver of the motorcycle has been identified Ronald Darger of Willmar. The driver of the pickup truck was Candido Zelaya-Benitez.

Mr. Darger passed away on 10/07/2026 from injuries sustained in the crash.

The investigation is ongoing.

Captain Mike Anderson

07/10/2026

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 10/06/2026

Case #: 26010931

RE: Motor Vehicle Crash w/ Injuries

On 10/06/2026 around 1:30 pm, Willmar Police were dispatched to 19th Ave./7th St. SW for a report of a motorcycle vs motor vehicle crash. Police arrived a short time later and noted a crash between a 2014 Harley Davidson and 2011 Dodge Ram.

The motorcycle was driven by 74-year-old Willmar man, and the Dodge pickup was driven by a 55-year-old Willmar man. Police learned the driver of the motorcycle was westbound on 19th Ave. The driver of the Dodge pickup was eastbound on 19th Ave. As they vehicles reach 7th St. SW, the pickup attempted to make a left turn to go north on 7th St. The motorcycle struck the pickup on the passenger side door. Both the motorcycle and pickup truck had substantial damage.

The driver of the motorcycle was airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center for serious injuries. The driver of the pickup reported no injuries.
Willmar Police were assisted by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, Willmar Fire, Kandiyohi Rescue Squad, MN State Patrol and CentraCare Ambulance.

Captain Mike Anderson

25/09/2026

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 09/25/2026

Case #: 26010434

RE: Weapons Complaint

On 09/24/2026, around 5:00 pm, the dispatch center received multiple 911 calls to the area of 1100 block of Lake Ave. NW. The callers advised there were two male parties who had a gun.

Willmar Police arrived on scene a short time later and observed two males matching the description given by callers. One was getting into the driver’s seat of a gray Jeep, and the other was running out of a residence on 12th St. NW, towards the Jeep. Officers were able to apprehend both individuals without incident.

The male party seated in the Jeep was identified as Michael Huerta, 18 of Willmar. The party running out of the residence was identified as Xavier Rodriguez, 18 of Willmar.

Police located a stolen handgun on Rodriguez. He was arrested, taken to the Kandiyohi County Jail and charged with receiving stolen property and possession of a pistol without a permit.

Interviews were conducted, search warrants were executed and evidence was collected. Police recovered an AR15 pistol from the Jeep Huerta was sitting in.
Huerta was arrested and charged with carrying a r***e in a public place without a permit.

Both parties will be held in the Kandiyohi County Jail for the above listed charges.

The Willmar Police Department was assisted by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office and the CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task Force.

Captain Mike Anderson

23/09/2026

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 09/23/2026

CONTACT:
Chief Mike Holme 320-235-3100. ext. 3101

Captain Mike Anderson 320-235-3100, ex. 3102




Re: Willmar Police Department Provides Update on September 21 Shooting
Case #26010319
Willmar, Minnesota — September 23, 2026 The Willmar Police Department is providing an update regarding the shooting that occurred in Willmar on September 21, 2026, at approximately 8:00 p.m.

The two individuals who died as a result of the shooting have been identified as:
• Alexis Antonio Quintanilla Deras, 19, of Willmar
• Yasir Diriye Kahin, 20, of Willmar
The third individual involved in the shooting, who remains in critical condition at a hospital in St. Cloud, has been identified as Guled Fahran Abdi, 19. Abdi is formerly of Willmar and currently resides in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Gunfire in a public park is alarming and can understandably leave neighbors and members of our community unsettled. The Willmar Police Department is deeply concerned and disappointed by this senseless act of gun violence.

Our detectives are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting, the actions of each individual involved, and whether anyone else played a role in the incident.

These investigations require the support and cooperation of our community. We ask anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may be relevant to the investigation to come forward and speak with detectives. Even information that may seem minor could assist detectives in establishing a clearer understanding of what occurred.

The investigation remains active, and additional information will be released as it becomes available and as appropriate during the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information pertinent to this case is asked to contact Willmar Police Department Detective Sergeant Chad Nelson at 320-235-3100, extension 3107.
The Willmar Police Department extends its condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic incident and appreciates the continued cooperation and support of the Willmar Community.

Chief Mike Holme
Willmar Police Department

22/09/2026

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 09/22/2026

Case #: 26010319

RE: Death Investigation

On 09/21/2026 at 8:00 pm, Willmar Police were dispatched to the area of Rau Park, located at the 1000 block of 7th St. NW for a report of gunshots. Dispatch advised officers there were potentially two or three people injured.

Police and emergency medical personnel arrived on scene and began providing life saving measures to two male individuals. One was a 19-year-old male, and the other was a 20-year-old male. Both were from Wilmar and were transported to Carris Hospital by ambulance. One of the parties was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The other party was flown by helicopter to the St. Cloud Hospital and is in critical condition.

A third party, a 19-year-old male from Willmar, was transported to the Willmar Carris Hospital by a personal vehicle. That party was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Police secured the scene, began investigating and taking witness statements. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehensions crime lab was contacted to assist with the investigation. At the time of this press release, they are still on scene, processing the crime scene.

Police believe this is an isolated incident and was not a random act of violence. Police do not believe there is a current public threat.

Names have been withheld to allow time for family notifications. More information will be released in the future as the case evolves and additional facts become available.

This case is very fluid and remains an active investigation.

The Willmar Police Department was assisted by the Kandiyohi Sheriff’s Office, Carris Ambulance Service and the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Captain Mike Anderson

Local law enforcement is out and looking for folks who aren't wearing their seat belts. For your own safety and for all...
21/09/2026

Local law enforcement is out and looking for folks who aren't wearing their seat belts. For your own safety and for all of those who care about you, buckle up, every time, no excuses!

21/09/2026

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 09/19/2026

Case #: 26010179

RE: Burglary

On 09/19/2026 at 6:09 am, Willmar officers were dispatched to a business located in 3000 block of 1st Ave. NW for a report of a possible burglary. Officers arrived and conducted a sweep of the property but did not locate the suspect inside.

Through investigation and interviews, officers identified a potential suspect. Around 3:50 pm, officers located and arrested 21-year-old Pa Ta of Willmar at a residence in the 400 block of 30th St. NW.

A search warrant was conducted at the residence Ta was arrested at. Additional items of evidence were located and collected.

Ta is being held in the Kandiyohi County Jail for second degree burglary.

The Willmar Police Department was assisted by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office.

Captain Mike Anderson

18/09/2026

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 09/18/2026

Case #: 26010143

RE: Warrant Arrest

On 09/18/2026, the U.S. Marshals contacted local law enforcement and advised they would be in the area throughout the day looking for Carlos Lanza-Rodriguez. Lanza-Rodriguez is a 25-year-old male party from Willmar and had an arrest warrant for 1st degree sexual assault of a minor out of the state of Texas.

Marshals located Lanza-Rodriguez around 7:15 A.M. He fled and a short pursuit ensued. Lanza-Rodriguez bailed out of his vehicle and ran into a house in the 100 block of Benson Ave. SE. U.S. Marshals quickly set up a perimeter around the residence and waited for local law enforcement to arrive. Nearby neighbors were evacuated by law enforcement as a safety precaution.

Willmar Police took command of the scene, made contact with Lanza-Rodriguez and crisis negotiators began communicating with him. A search was drafted for the residence and signed by a judge. Willmar Police SWAT arrived on scene and assisted with containment. Negotiations continued.

At about 9:00 A.M. Lanza-Rodriguez agreed to exit the house and was arrested without incident. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.

Lanza-Rodriguez is currently being held at the Kandiyohi County Jail for felony fleeing in a motor vehicle, fleeing on foot, a local arrest warrant and a felony warrant out of the state of Texas.

The Willmar Police Department was assisted by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, the CEE-VI Drug and Gang Task force and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.

Cpt. Mike Anderson

Address

MN

Telephone

+13202352244

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