In a late Wednesday press briefing, city officials and the Minneapolis Police Department confirmed that the suspect in the earlier active shooter incident at Loring Towers in downtown was deceased, along with two others. Several others were also injured in the mass shooting, including two police officers. A third officer sustained injuries not related to gunfire.
Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson didn’t name the suspect but said police were familiar with him.
Several sources confirmed to Alpha News that the suspect was 35-year-old Carlton Neal Johnson, II.
Johnson was in the process of being evicted from Loring Towers at 15 East Grant Street, according to a court filing. The eviction civil suit explained that the reasons for Johnson’s eviction were connected to concerning behaviors, including making gun threats and repeatedly displaying a firearm on the premises.
A copy of a letter addressed to Johnson contained in the eviction filing stated the following:
“Your lease is being terminated for material breach of lease, as follows:
- On January 16, 2026, you disturbed the peace of other residents by engaging in loud arguments with others and repeatedly knocking on a resident’s door.
- On February 19, 2026, you allowed access to a guest without following the required sign in procedures.
- On March 23, 2026, you assaulted a resident on the premises.
- On June 11, 2026, you walked around the premises with a firearm openly displayed on your person. You entered the management office and openly displayed the firearm on your person to multiple management personnel.
- On or before June 11, 2026, you made multiple statements to other residents that you had obtained a new gun and would kill someone.
- On June 13, 2026, you flashed your gun to others on the nearby sidewalk outside the premises.”
The letter dated June 16, 2026, stated that Johnson was required to be out of the apartment by June 29, 2026. A copy of the lease agreement indicates that the lease went into effect in March 2025 and that Johnson was obligated to pay only $105 in rent monthly in the taxpayer-subsidized building.
Although the letter and eviction notice detailed alleged violent statements and actions by Johnson beginning in January, a search of jail and court records does not reveal any apparent arrests or charges connected to any of the incidents.
Court records indicate that a hearing in the eviction was held on July 23, and the case was ordered for continuance on Aug. 6. The next hearing was scheduled for Sept. 11.
When police responded Wednesday to the incident at Loring Towers on a report of a shooting, officers went toward the sound of gunfire in the building and encountered the suspect. An exchange of gunfire ensued. Officers’ efforts were hampered by the presence of a “haze” in the building that significantly limited their visibility, Interim Chief Peterson said.
A total of three officers were injured, two of them by gunfire. One was shot in the leg; the other was shot twice in the abdomen. Both are expected to survive.
Peterson confirmed that the shooter was deceased but initially stated that it was unknown how he died. One other unnamed individual was deceased on site, and four others were transported to Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC), including one who did not survive.
Numerous police agencies from around the metro sent squads and officers to Minneapolis to help respond to 911 calls and assist during the incident, including the FBI, State Patrol, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Metro Transit PD, University of Minnesota PD, Plymouth, St. Paul, Edina, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove and Minneapolis Park police departments.
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Gridlock in downtown Minneapolis with multiple responders following an ACTIVE SHOOTER event.
At least two cops were shot. Others are reportedly injured or dead.https://t.co/xV4zja0El3— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) September 2, 2026
A press release from MPD late Wednesday summarized the casualties and sequence of events:
“Three people are dead and several others injured after a shooting earlier today in the Loring Park area of Minneapolis.
One civilian who was shot died at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and another civilian who was shot died at the scene.
Three Minneapolis police officers were injured in the shooting. Two are at HCMC. One is undergoing surgery.
Four additional officers experienced adverse effects after being exposed to an unknown airborne substance. Two officers were hurt when their squad car was involved in a crash while responding to the scene.
Three other civilians were shot and are also being treated at HCMC.
The suspected shooter died at the scene. It is unknown how the suspected shooter died. MPD is not naming him at this point.
‘As officers quickly moved from unit to unit to assist anyone who needed help, I can’t emphasize enough how dangerous this situation was and how heroic our officers were in response,’ said Mayor Jacob Frey. ‘They rescued victims, brought people to safety, helped get approximately four people to the hospital, all while getting shot at themselves. We’re all standing with the victims and families impacted by this senseless act.’
Incident Background
Around 4:30 p.m. today, officers responded to reports of shots fired at an apartment building near 15 E. Grant St. When they arrived, officers encountered multiple victims in the lobby and heard more gunfire. MPD and other officers traced additional activity to an upper floor of the apartment building. While there, officers encountered a haze.
Law enforcement agencies from multiple cities responded to the scene, including the Minnesota State Patrol, Hennepin County’s Sheriff’s Office, The Minneapolis Park Police, St Paul Police Department, University of Minnesota Police Department, Maple Grove Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Edina Police Department, and the Brooklyn Park Police Department. They assisted with 911 response and other activity around the city as needed. The FBI also assisted at the scene.
‘This is a tremendously tragic event,’ said Minneapolis Police Chief Bill Peterson. ‘The lives of residents, our community, our officers and other first responders have been significantly impacted. I am thankful to all of our law enforcement partners and want to give a special thanks to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for its prompt and professional investigative response at this massive crime scene.’
Johnson’s Facebook profile states that he was from Chicago. Minnesota court records date back to 2011 with cases involving domestic abuse, domestic assault, drug paraphernalia, and numerous citations for driving with a suspended license.
The medical examiner will be expected to officially identify the deceased parties.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is involved in the police use-of-force investigation and will make more information available later.
Alpha News will continue to follow developments
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
