Iron Range woman charged in shooting at Hells Angels clubhouse – Duluth News Tribune

VIRGINIA — A woman reportedly fired more than a dozen shots at the front door of the Hells Angels motorcycle club in Eveleth early Monday morning.

Adrien Marie Gunderson, 39, of Forbes, was charged Wednesday with drive-by shooting and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Court documents indicate that at least two members were inside the building, located at 413 Grant Ave., when Gunderson pulled up in an SUV and opened fire after a brief confrontation. At least one person narrowly escaped the line of fire, authorities said.

It's not yet clear whether Gunderson has any connection to the club or what her motivation is for the shooting. But St. Louis County District Attorney Chris Florey said she made “bizarre statements” to police afterward and her family is concerned for her mental health.

The incident was reported shortly after 6:15 a.m. According to a criminal complaint, the person who reported the incident was sleeping on a couch and was awakened by a noise at the front door. Another member then confronted Gunderson, ordering him to leave, before a series of loud noises were heard.

Eveleth Police Department officers found 14 9mm shell casings scattered on the sidewalk and street in front of the clubhouse, as well as bullet holes in the door and entryway.

Police said city surveillance video confirmed the circumstances. Footage reportedly showed a Jeep Commander parked in front of the building, with a woman getting out and approaching the door. She had a partially shaved head and was wearing ripped jeans and a Harley Davidson sweatshirt.

The suspect was then seen pointing a handgun at the door and firing several shots before getting back into the Jeep and driving south on Grant Avenue, according to the complaint.

Police located the SUV at Gunderson's home on Townline Road after speaking with her grandmother, the vehicle's registered owner. Having the same haircut and clothing as those seen in the video, she was arrested.

Gunderson then allegedly made several spontaneous statements, including, “I hate the Hells Angels right now” and “my gun is in my backpack.”

Officers said they obtained his consent to open the bag, finding a 9mm handgun, several magazines and additional rounds.

Gunderson is prohibited from owning firearms because of a 2017 conviction for third-degree methamphetamine sales. She also has prior convictions for drug possession and neglect of a vulnerable adult.

Judge Rachel Sullivan granted Florey's request to set unconditional bail at $200,000 with no possibility of supervised release. Gunderson was scheduled to appear in court again Monday.

The Hells Angels' Iron Range chapter has been in the spotlight recently. Several members were arrested and charged late last year after a woman was allegedly raped at an Eveleth residence and a man was kidnapped and assaulted at the clubhouse.

Jerand Paul French, the chapter president and registered owner of the Grant Avenue building, is among those implicated. He is the only defendant now free, having posted $500,000 bail. Paul Anthony Debelak, Eric Anthony Newman and Jake Douglas Novaczyk remain in jail.

The cases have been largely stalled by a lengthy discovery process. Debelek and Newman are scheduled to appear in court on September 16, while French and Novaczyk are scheduled to appear on October 21.

Tom Olsen has covered crime and courts and the 8th Congressional District for the Duluth News Tribune since 2013. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth and a lifelong resident of the city. Readers can contact Olsen at 218-723-5333 or [email protected].