Suspect in custody in shooting at Cambodian temple

A 29-year-old man is behind bars in connection with a Saturday shooting incident that took place during a heavily-attended festival at a Cambodian temple in southern Dakota County. No one was hurt, but authorities are attempting to determine if the altercation was gang-related.

Chief Deputy Sheriff David Bellows said it was miraculous no one was hit when at least two individuals opened fire on each other in the temple's parking lot, though several cars were struck. The shooting occurred at 3:36 p.m. with 1,500 to 2,000 festivalgoers nearby.

He said about 8 or 10 rounds were fired. "The potential of getting hit was extraordinarily high," Bellows said.

The crowd directed several off-duty sheriff's deputies who were at the festival working security to a suspect, who was taken into custody.

Nera Keng was booked into the Dakota County Jail in Hastings on Saturday on probable cause of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and reckless discharge of a pistol. The Dakota County Attorney's office is reviewing the incident for charges.

"We're still looking for the second, and possibly more individuals involved as part of our investigation," Bellows said. "This could potentially be gang related."

The elaborately-decorated Watt Munisotaram, completed in 2007, is 60 feet tall and among the largest temples of its kind in the United States. Festivalgoers said they were there to celebrate the Cambodian New Year, which usually draws a sedate crowd for a
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week of religious ceremony and festivities.

"Usually, it's pretty good," said Ann Choun, a Shakopee resident who attended on Saturday with her three sons. "I was kind of shocked. ... We come to visit every year for New Year's. We've never heard of anything like this."

Said Bellows: "We have not had violence here before. It's typically a very family-oriented event ... This was unusual."

The cause of the incident remains under investigation, according to the sheriff's office. A description of the second suspect was not available.

No handguns were recovered at the scene.

The temple, run by the Minnesota Cambodian Buddhist Society, is on 220th Street East in Hampton.

The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information to call their tip line at 651-438-TIPS (8477).

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