A man in custody in west-central Minnesota is suspected of killing one person and shooting another in or near Willmar after fleeing from Minneapolis police on Tuesday afternoon.
The series of events began to unfold on the 2900 block of Lyndale Avenue South in the Lyn-Lake neighborhood of Minneapolis about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday. Police initially received 911 calls from a woman about a domestic situation involving her ex-boyfriend, who she said assaulted her and pointed a gun at her and her new boyfriend. The initial call was dispatched as “information,” and no squad was specifically dispatched at that time, according to scanner audio.
At 12:33 p.m., the dispatcher aired that a squad had self-assigned to the call and the dispatcher continued to state that new 911 calls were coming in from people who were hearing shots and some could see a male firing shots from the sixth floor of the building.
There were several conflicting descriptions of the male shooter, who was first described by the girlfriend as “Middle Eastern.” Later information aired described him as white, and yet another description was aired as a light skinned black male.
The arriving officers nearly immediately called for more squads and tactical equipment. Meanwhile, a negotiator stated over dispatch that they had the male on the phone and that he wanted to speak to the mother of his child and that he would be cooperative. At that point, which was just before 1 p.m., police were operating under the belief that the suspect was still inside the sixth-floor apartment. Information was later developed indicating that the suspect had fled the area in a vehicle at some point prior.
Separate radio dispatches later indicated that the suspect was traveling through the west metro and possibly into the Hutchinson area. Several law enforcement agencies became involved in tracking the suspect into Carver, McLeod and Kandiyohi counties.
Just after 2 p.m., a shooting was aired involving an address in Lake Lillian, Minn., in Kandiyohi County, where a person was reported to be shot through the chest inside a residence. A manhunt ensued involving several agencies looking for the suspect, who was believed to be in a stolen vehicle at that point. Responders worked to block oncoming traffic on Hwy. 23 as the suspect reportedly headed eastbound in the Raymond area toward Willmar. Meanwhile, the suspect was on the phone with a negotiator, and he was reported to be threatening “suicide by cop.”
Just before 2:30 p.m., officers aired that the suspect was out of his vehicle and was running across traffic lanes and that he was trying to steal another car. Officers then called out that there was a “victim” who needed EMS for a gunshot wound to the head. The victim on Hwy. 23 was eventually declared “DOA.” A firearm was also recovered in a ditch, according to scanner audio. Further audio indicated that the first gunshot victim was being airlifted to the cities due to their injuries.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara held an afternoon press briefing with information about the Minneapolis portion of the event:
Statements were later issued by both MPD and the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, as follows:
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said that tragedy occurred outside of the city after MPD responded to a man firing shots in the 2900 block of Lyndale Ave S.
About 12:30 p.m. officers received 911 calls about shots being fired in the 2900 block of Lyndale Ave S. When officers arrived, witnesses told them a man had fired shots from the balcony of a nearby apartment. Officers located the apartment the shots were fired from and established a perimeter.
Minneapolis Police Crisis Negotiators responded to the scene and made phone contact with the man. Officers soon learned the man had fled the apartment before they arrived and was driving west outside the city of Minneapolis. Information was sent to law enforcement agencies where the man was believed to be.
Preliminary information indicates the man was in an altercation with a woman and another man prior to the shots being fired. No one in Minneapolis was injured.
“I know our officers did everything they could, but it appears clear that this person was homicidal and that he was bent on violence,” Chief O’Hara said. “This is weighing especially heavy on the Crisis Negotiators that were on the phone with this individual. I am thankful that our law enforcement partners in different counties in Minnesota were able to take this person into custody.”
Officers secured the scene and canvassed the area. Minneapolis Forensic Scientists responded to process the scene. Investigators are working to determine the sequence of events around the incident in Minneapolis.
The MN BCA is investigating the incidents that occurred outside Minneapolis. The GO# for this incident is 24-304433.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips may be submitted electronically at www.CrimeStoppersMN.org. All Tips are anonymous and persons providing information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.
Kandiyohi Sheriff’s statement:
Shortly before 1 p.m., Minneapolis police were called to an apartment complex in the 2900 block of Lyndale Avenue South where a man was alleged to have fired several rounds into the street from the building’s top floor. As the situation unfolded in Minneapolis, authorities learned that the suspect was traveling west through several counties, including Kandiyohi County where investigators believe the man shot and injured a man at a rural Kandiyohi County residence.
The suspect was pursued to the Hwy 71/23 bypass southeast of Willmar where law enforcement believe the man attempted a carjacking and then fatally shot the driver. Law enforcement was able to take the man into custody without further loss of life or injuries. He was booked into the Kandiyohi County Jail and is being held on multiple charges including murder. No officers used deadly force in this incident.
The investigation is ongoing. Additional information about the victims will be released once the medical examiner completes the preliminary autopsy and families are notified.
“Today, multiple lives were put in harm’s way, with one person sadly losing their life,” Kandiyohi County Sheriff Spokesperson Imran Ali said. “Our hearts go out to the victim’s family. Please continue to hold the victims, their families and our first responders in your prayers today.”
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation with assistance from Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents and crime scene personnel.
At the time of this report, the suspect had not yet been identified. Alpha News will continue to follow developments in this story.
– – –
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.
