Tran at Center of MPR Report on Guns in Hands of the Mentally Ill

A Minnesota Public Radio report by Brandt Williams delves into the subject of keeping guns out of the hands of mentally ill people, and it centers around Nhan Tran of Oakdale.

Nhan, 34, is the suspect in the shooting that killed 9-year-old Devin Aryal earlier this year. A Washington County judge recently determined that Tran is not competent to stand trial for the murder, and he was sent to the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter.

From the MPR report:

Tran's case illustrates how difficult it can be for mental health professionals, lawmakers and law enforcers to keep guns out of the hands of people with mental illness who may be dangerous. According to an Oakdale police report, officers had contact with Tran twice before the shooting — once in January of this year, and once in September of 2011.

• Tran Found Incompetent to Stand Trial in Fatal Child Shooting Case
• County Asks for Second Mental Evaluation for Man Accused in Oakdale Murder
• Report: Police Find 'Random Kill' Note in Tran's Bedroom
• Oakdale Suspect Charged in Shooting Incident that Killed 9-Year-Old Boy
• Oakdale Shooter Suspect Identified, Boy Killed was Oakdale Elementary Student
• UPDATED: Shots Fired, Child Killed After Oakdale Shooting