A Minneapolis police officer was “ambushed” and shot by automatic gunfire Friday night, and at least four people were taken into custody after initially fleeing the scene in north Minneapolis.
The officer received a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the shoulder and was able to be released from the hospital overnight (top photo).
A chaotic-sounding situation played out over the air starting around 9:15 p.m. when a Minneapolis 911 dispatcher called out an officer help call and stated that a squad had been struck by gunfire at Webber Parkway and Colfax Avenue North. The dispatcher toned an “officer help call,” and requested additional squads to respond, according to dispatch audio. Officers from across the city as well as deputies from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office began responding to the area.
SQUAD STRUCK BY GUNFIRE.
HELP CALL.
Webber Parkway and Colfax Ave N
21:15— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) August 12, 2023
Officers in the area of the shots aired that the suspect vehicle was fleeing the scene as another officer aired that an officer was being self-transported to the hospital by another officer, indicating that an officer had been injured by the gunfire.
Police tracked the suspect vehicle southbound from the area of the incident and indicated that they had not yet activated lights and sirens. Flight assistance was requested from the Minnesota State Patrol.
At about 9:20 p.m., the incident turned into an active pursuit and K9 squads were requested to respond. The vehicle was described as a white Chevy Equinox.
Around 9:25 p.m., the suspect vehicle crashed in the area of 21st and Upton Avenue North, and police aired that at least one suspect was being held at gunpoint while others fled into the neighborhood. Two suspects were immediately detained, and a search perimeter ensued for others who had fled.
At approximately 9:42 p.m., two more suspects were taken into custody in the area of 21st and Vincent Avenue North, and police determined shortly thereafter that all suspects who had fled were in custody, according to dispatch audio.
At one point after the suspects had been detained, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara aired to dispatch that the officer who had been hospitalized was “OK.”
A statement was released overnight by the Minneapolis Police Department describing that the 7-year veteran police officer had been in an unmarked squad following a vehicle that had fled from Brooklyn Park officers the day before, which matched the description of a vehicle involved in a robbery near 36th and Queen Avenue North, and had subsequently fled from MPD officers who attempted to stop the vehicle.
The officer located the suspect vehicle and was following the vehicle near the 4300 block of Colfax Avenue North when shots were fired at the officer’s vehicle. The shots were apparently fired from the vehicle he was following, the statement said. The officer drove to the intersection of Webber Parkway and Fremont Avenue North where he was met by officers who transported him to the hospital.
Shortly after, MPD officers relocated the suspect vehicle near 42nd and Lyndale Avenue North and then attempted to stop the vehicle near 35th and Emerson Avenue North. When the vehicle refused to stop and fled, MPD officers, with the assistance of Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office deputies, pursued the vehicle until it crashed into a parked unoccupied vehicle near the corner of 21st and Upton Avenue North. There were no reports of civilian injuries related to this crash, according to the statement.
Four suspects were eventually apprehended, including two adult males, one adult female, and one juvenile male. A gun was also recovered. The two adult males were identified in the statement as Freddy Davis, Jr., 19, and Jamin Bowman, 19, and the adult female was identified as Nevaeh Page who will turn 20 on Tuesday. The three males were taken to HCMC with non-life-threatening injuries.
An MPD post on Facebook signed by Chief O’Hara stated, “The officer was riding alone when he was ambushed by automatic gunfire.” Information wasn’t immediately available on whether there was a corresponding ShotSpotter activation.
“This incident underscores the incredible courage and bravery that all of our officers display as they don the MPD uniform in defense of our city,” O’Hara said. “MPD officers put their lives on the line every day to protect each and every community member, not knowing what each day of that service may bring. We are extremely thankful and relieved that this officer is still with us. Thanks to the work of his MPD and law enforcement family, we have protected one of our own and we’ve taken four more potentially dangerous criminals off the street.”
MPD posted a short video clip of the officer being released from the hospital overnight with several members of law enforcement present.
Tonight a 7-year veteran of the MPD assigned to 4th Precinct CRT was shot in the line of duty. Personnel from MPD, our local LE partners, and many from nearby agencies gathered at NMMC in solidarity to show support and honor our officer once he was discharged from the hospital. pic.twitter.com/EUI8p9q69O
— Minneapolis Police (@MinneapolisPD) August 12, 2023
Alpha News will continue to follow developments and charges in the case.
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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.
