Suni Lee statue recovered after more than a year, plans underway to return it to Phalen Park

A bronze bust of Suni Lee has been recovered from a Saint Paul home. Photo: Saint Paul Police Department

A bronze statue honoring Saint Paul Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee has been recovered more than a year after it was stolen from Phalen Regional Park, and city officials say plans are underway to return the statue to its East Side home.

Saint Paul police found the statue early Aug. 28 inside a residence in the 900 block of Forest Street while investigating a report of shots fired.

The statue of one of city's most celebrated athletes was reported stolen from Phalen Regional Park on July 31, 2025. 

Now that the statue is back in the city's possession, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is working on plans for its reinstallation, but don't have a date set yet.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Suni Lee’s statue has been found and are grateful to the Saint Paul Police Department for helping bring this special piece of our community home,” Parks and Recreation Director Andy Rodriguez said.

“Suni has inspired people around the world and makes our city so proud. We can’t wait to see her statue back at Lake Phalen where it belongs, celebrating her incredible accomplishments and inspiring Saint Paul residents for generations to come.”

Police Chief Axel Henry said the recovery was the outcome from what started as an unrelated emergency call.

“Our city honored a great American, Minnesotan, and Saint Paulite, with a statue to celebrate her incredible achievements in multiple Olympic Games,” Henry said. “I am happy to report that the statue of Suni Lee has been recovered thanks to our officers' diligent response to what began as a shots fired call.”

Police said officers initially responded to the Forest Street residence shortly after 12:30 a.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. Spent rifle casings were found outside the multi-unit home, and officers made several announcements before conducting a protective sweep. 

According to police, a search warrant later led officers to recover multiple firearms and ammunition, along with the Suni Lee statue.

Saint Paul police pose with a bronze bust of Olympic champion gymnast Suni Lee after it was recovered on Aug. 28 after an unrelated call. Photo: Saint Paul Police Department

Two Saint Paul residents have now been charged with felony receiving stolen property in connection with the statue. Da’Shawn Caradine, 22, and Tamica Bazinet, 44, were each charged by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the initial shots-fired call.

Lee, a Saint Paul native who grew up on the city's East Side, became the first Hmong American to win an Olympic gold medal when she won the women's individual all-around gymnastics competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She also competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics.