Alleged straw buyer of New Hope shooter's guns released

The man who is suspected of buying guns on behalf of Raymond Kmetz, the man who shot two New Hope police officers Monday, is out of jail.

The Hennepin County jail roster shows that the alleged straw buyer, who had been arrested Thursday, was released about 11:30 p.m. ­Friday because no charges were filed against him.

Kmetz, 68, of Belle Plaine, was killed at New Hope's City Hall after he opened fire with a Stoeger "pistol-grip" shotgun. Sheriff Rich Stanek said Friday that Kmetz had a 42-year-old Golden Valley man pick up that gun plus two others Kmetz had purchased online. A background check was done on the 42-year-old.

Kmetz would not have been able to legally buy firearms due to his history of court-ordered civil commitments for mental health problems.

The alleged straw buyer could still face federal charges. After learning that the county attorney's office wasn't going to file charges, Stanek forwarded the case to the U.S. attorney's office for review, he said Friday.

Stanek was told that the alleged buyer didn't violate the state statute because he didn't know Kmetz was prohibited from owning a weapon.

JENNA ROSS