Minnesota
One of two charged in Montevideo, Minnesota, drive-by shooting pleads guilty
MONTEVIDEO
— One of two suspects charged for their alleged roles in a Sept. 24, 2025, drive-by shooting in Montevideo has entered a guilty plea.
David Michael Pillatzki, 28, of Willmar, entered a petition Thursday, July 2, in Chippewa County District Court to plead guilty to a charge of aiding and abetting a drive-by shooting, which will be reduced from the original felony to a gross misdemeanor as part of a plea agreement.
Contributed
The agreement also calls for Pillatzki to cooperate in the prosecution against the other man charged in the incident.
The criminal complaint against Pillatzki alleges that he was a passenger in a vehicle from which shots were fired at a residence on the 400 block of South Third Street shortly after 8 p.m. Sept. 24. There were two occupants in the residence. Neither was injured.
Pillatzki was upset that his Ford Bronco had been shot on or about May 3, 2025, in Willmar, according to the complaint.
Contributed/ Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office
The man suspected of firing the shots, Albert Vaniler Hughes, 27, of Montevideo, was charged in March after the results of laboratory analysis by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were received.
DNA and ballistic evidence link Hughes to the gun used in the shooting, according to the complaint filed against him.
He has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of drive-by shooting, intentional discharge of a firearm, and reckless discharge of a firearm.
The District Court recently assigned his case to a different judge, and a new court date has not been scheduled.
