Full Breakdown
St. Paul Police Recover Stolen Suni Lee Statue During Shots-Fired Investigation
8/29/2026, 11:17:30 AM
Core Event
Early Friday morning, shortly after 12:30 a.m., St. Paul police responded to a shots-fired call at a multi-unit residence in the 900 block of Forest Street. After a protective sweep and the execution of a search warrant, officers recovered multiple firearms, ammunition, and the bronze statue of Olympic gymnast Suni Lee that had been reported stolen from Phalen Regional Park on July 31, 2025. The statue was found intact. A man was taken to the Ramsey County Jail on suspicion of felony receiving stolen property in connection with the statue; no arrests were made regarding the gunfire.
Background & Context
The bronze statue was installed in July 2023 to honor Lee, a native of St. Paul and 2021 Olympic gold-medalist. The city also proclaimed July 30 as Suni Lee Day in recognition of her achievements. The theft, described by police as a “desecration,” left the monument missing for more than a year before its recovery.
Official Statements & Responses
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry issued a statement praising the officers’ work and emphasizing the city’s respect for Lee’s legacy. He noted that the statue’s recovery resulted directly from the response to the unrelated shots-fired call.
Data & Statistics
- Theft date: July 31, 2025 (reported stolen from Phalen Regional Park).
- Recovery date: August 28, 2026 (published reports of the recovery).
- Arrest: one adult male charged with felony receiving stolen property; no injuries reported from the shots-fired incident.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our city honored a great American, Minnesotan, and Saint Paulite, with a statue to celebrate her incredible achievements in multiple Olympic Games. Last year, disrespectful and shameless thieves decided to desecrate this tribute by stealing the statue from our community,” — Axel Henry, paul police chief
- “Last year, disrespectful and shameless thieves decided to desecrate this tribute by stealing the statue from our community.” — Axel Henry, paul police chief
What’s Next
Police indicated that plans are “in the works” to reinstall the statue at Phalen Regional Park in the near future. The circumstances surrounding the initial gunfire remain under investigation.
