Man Gets Jail Time, Probation for Firing Weapon During Oakdale Argument

A North St. Paul man convicted of firing a pistol during an argument in Oakdale was recently sentenced to jail time and seven years of probation.

A 36-month prison sentence was stayed for Peng Thao, 32, on the grounds that he abides by the conditions of his parole.

Thao was convicted of second-degree assault following the Oct. 28, 2012, incident, which unfolded at the 5000 block of Grafton Avenue in Oakdale.

The argument between family members broke out at about 8 p.m., according to the criminal complaint, when Thao and others went to the home to pick someone up.

He waited outside, and a man at the home came outside and started yelling at him, the complaint says. At that point Thao pointed a handgun at those on the property. They ran back into the home.

Witnesses told police Thao then pointed the gun at the home and fired a shot, according to the complaint.

Thao is known to carry a revolver, the complaint says, and on Oct. 29, 2012, police executed a search warrant at his home and recovered a pistol, along with several types of ammunition. 

Two other charges against Thao were dropped on the grounds that he turned over all his firearms to authorities.

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