The Minnesota Supreme Court on Thursday sent back the case of a private security guard who unintentionally shot a 15-year-old suspected thief in 2003 to Ramsey County District Court for another look.

Timothy K. Engle, 25, of Shoreview, was convicted in 2005 of recklessly discharging a firearm within a municipality.

The case stemmed from an incident in the early morning of Nov. 3, 2003, outside Skyline Towers, 1247 St. Anthony Av., St. Paul.

Engle and another armed security guard chased the teenager, Husein Muse, through the parking lot after he was believed to have been seen stealing a car stereo. The boy jumped into a stolen car and accelerated backward, sideswiping Engle's leg, according to Engle's attorney, Steven Meshbesher. Engle pulled his gun and ordered Muse out of the car. A scuffle ensued, Engle fell on his back with the teen on top of him and the gun accidentally discharged, according to reports and court documents.

Muse was hit in the back and paralyzed from the waist down. He was never charged with a crime.

Engle was convicted on the weapons charge. The imposition of his sentence was stayed, and he was put on probation for two years. He appealed, arguing that the court erred in not requiring proof that he intentionally discharged his weapon. The appeals court sided with the District Court.

The Supreme Court said Thursday that while the District Court correctly concluded that prosecutors didn't need to prove intent, the court must determine whether Engle committed a "conscious or intentional act ... that created a substantial and unjustifiable risk that he was aware of and disregarded."

Meshbesher said Engle, who hopes to be a police officer someday, is "elated" but "very reserved" about the Supreme Court ruling.

"He's very confident in our legal system, but he's very concerned by the past," Meshbesher said.

The 2003 incident was dramatic, sad and unfortunate, he said. "But my client should not be held criminally responsible when no crime was committed by my client."

Pat Pheifer • 651-298-1551