Two Men Arrested in Connection with Lake Elmo Shooting

Article by Shawn Hogendorf

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men who are suspects in a shooting that occurred last week on Highway 5, just off of Highway 36 in Lake Elmo.

Deputies responded to a report of a medical call in Lake Elmo on May 21 for a man who had been shot multiple times in the lower part of his body, Washington County Commander Brian Mueller said.

When deputies arrived, they identified the driver of the vehicle as Demi Marie Ferguson. 20, of St. Paul. The passenger in her vehicle, Vy Lai Yang, 38, of St. Paul, had been shot.Yang was transported to Regions Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released, Mueller said.

Ferguson was arrested on suspicion of drug charges stemming from a related search warrant that was executed at the Extended Stay Hotel in Woodbury.

The shooting reportedly happened on Highlands Trail just south of Hwy 36, where investigators found several .40 caliber shell casings, along with blood evidence, Mueller said.

Since the shooting, detectives had been specifically looking for Reuben Adrian Paramo, 35, and his brother, Fidel Garcia Paramo, 37, in relation to the case.

Both men are currently in custody at the Washington County Jail.

"Charges, if any, are not expected until early next week as the investigation continues,” Mueller said.

The Sheriff's Office is not currently looking for any other individuals directly involved in the shooting.

“We believe the suspect(s) and victim were known to each other and this shooting is the result of a dispute between the two,” Mueller said.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office was assisted by many agencies, Mueller said, including the Woodbury Police Department, the Oakdale Police Department, the St. Paul Police Department, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office and the Prior Lake Police Department.