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A former Mercer County jailer pleaded not guilty on Thursday to shooting up a Beulah hotel with an AR-15 rifle. The case will be scheduled for a four-day jury trial.

Michael Peterson, 26, was charged with two counts of attempted murder and four counts of reckless endangerment in March.

Peterson allegedly fired the rifle 32 times after a night of drinking at a bar in the hotel, according to a police affidavit. The six charges correspond to the individuals, including family members and hotel guests, who he allegedly endangered in February. No one was injured.

The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Criminal Investigations and prosecuted by the Attorney General's office, because of Peterson's connections to Mercer County law enforcement.

The defendant is out on bond. Peterson entered an in-patient substance abuse program in late March and was scheduled for discharge in late April, according to court documents, after which he would wear a SCRAM bracelet and live with his parents.

Reach Caroline Grueskin at 701-250-8225 or at caroline.grueskin@bismarcktribune.com

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