A suspected carjacker fleeing police on Thursday morning slammed into an uninvolved vehicle, killing two of its occupants and critically injuring a child riding in the vehicle.
The events began to unfold just after 8 a.m. in south Minneapolis when a woman was carjacked at 2nd and East Lake Street. The vehicle stolen was a VW Passat by a suspect described as a black male with dreads in his 40s. The suspect was reportedly seen abusing a dog inside the vehicle, reportedly rammed other vehicles, and then fired shots, according to available dispatch audio.
The suspect ended up being pursued by police in north Minneapolis several minutes later, where the suspect crashed into an uninvolved vehicle at Olson Memorial Highway and Penn Avenue North. Two occupants of the uninvolved vehicle were declared deceased at the scene, and a child riding in the same vehicle was transported to the hospital with critical injuries, according to further dispatch audio.
A bystander supplied video of the aftermath of the crash to Crime Watch Minneapolis.
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From the scene of this morning's fatal pursuit crash where two were killed and a child was critically injured by the fleeing carjacking suspect. pic.twitter.com/dHjLHuaTC3— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) September 4, 2025
Police later released a statement on the series of events. Full statement below:
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced today that two people were killed by a violent criminal who fled from police and crashed into their vehicle.
Preliminary information indicates at approximately 8:00 a.m., Third Precinct Officers responded to reports of a person with a gun near Lake St E and 4th Av S. The reports of a person with a gun were updated to a carjacking in progress. Prior to the carjacking, the suspect was seen in a maroon Ford Explorer driving recklessly as he repeatedly swerved into traffic, drove at high rates of speed, and even drove onto sidewalks along Lake St.
The suspect crashed the Ford Explorer into another vehicle and pointed a gun at the driver. After crashing the Explorer, he attempted to carjack a motorist at gunpoint who was stopped at a red light. That attempt was unsuccessful as the driver was able [to] drive away. The suspect then carjacked a black Volkswagen sedan at gunpoint and fled the area. Shortly afterward, the gunman returned to the maroon Ford Explorer, approached a bystander and pointed a gun at them. He then retrieved three dogs and other items from the vehicle before fleeing again in the carjacked Volkswagen. Multiple witnesses reported that he fired several shots as he left the scene.
At approximately 8:19 a.m., a call to 911 reported the carjacked Volkswagen being driven recklessly in downtown Minneapolis.
Police were able to track the carjacked Volkswagen to the Fourth Precinct where they attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle fled from officers, who initiated a pursuit. The pursuit lasted approximately three minutes and ended when the carjacked Volkswagen crashed into an uninvolved vehicle at the intersection of Olson Memorial Highway and Penn Ave N.
Two adult women inside of the uninvolved vehicle died at the scene. A juvenile male inside the vehicle was transported by EMS to be treated for apparent non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect was arrested at the scene and transported by EMS to North Memorial Hospital for treatment of apparent non-life-threatening injuries. He will be booked into Hennepin County Jail once he is discharged from the hospital.
A firearm and three dogs were recovered from inside the carjacked Volkswagen. One of the dogs was euthanized and the other two dogs are being treated for their injuries.
“This is an outcome we never want—a devastating incident with very heartbreaking and permanent consequences,” said Chief O’Hara. “A gunman drove recklessly throughout the city, at excessive speeds and even onto sidewalks, carjacking a woman and firing shots on a crowded city street, jeopardizing human life. This criminal put countless lives at risk, and this is exactly why we take violent crime so seriously. ”
The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash and conducting the crash reconstruction. The Hennepin County Sheriff Crime Scene Investigators are assisting with the crash scene.
MPD is investigating the Lake St carjacking.
No MPD squad was damaged, and no officers were injured.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will release the identities of the deceased individuals.
Case numbers: 25- 252946 (Pursuit), 25-252924 (Carjacking)
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact MPD by emailing cbyvprgvcf@zvaarncbyvfza.tbi or calling 612-673-5845 to leave a voicemail.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.CrimeStoppersMN.org. All tips are anonymous, and information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.
Alpha News will continue to follow developments and charges against the arrested party.
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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.
