MINNEAPOLIS — A 23-year-old Minneapolis man is accused of crashing his girlfriend’s car when she tried to end their relationship, then shooting multiple times at state troopers. closing a portion of Interstate 94 late Saturday evening.
The 23-year-old man is charged with four counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of first-degree assault on a police officer, and one count of fourth-degree assault on a police officer.
Officers were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash in the area of eastbound I-94 and Dowling Avenue in Minneapolis around 10:15 p.m. While en route, officers received information that shots had been fired at the scene, the complaint states.
An officer approached Lowry Avenue with his police lights and sirens on and aimed a spotlight at a person matching the suspect’s description. That’s when the suspect reportedly raised his arm, pointed at the police car, and fired multiple shots.
While additional officers were on the scene, a Minneapolis police officer reported seeing the suspect raise his hand and point what appeared to be a gun before “hearing what he thought was a gunshot,” the complaint said.
More officers surrounded the suspect and he was seen throwing the weapon before officers arrested him, the complaint said. Police also recovered the weapon that had been thrown.
During his arrest, the suspect allegedly spat in the face of a Minneapolis police officer.
Officers spoke with the driver of the crashed vehicle and she said the suspect was her boyfriend. The complaint alleges that the two were driving on I-94 when she told the suspect that the “relationship was over.” He then grabbed the steering wheel, causing the car to crash. After the crash, she says, he got out of the vehicle and she heard multiple gunshots outside.
According to court documents, two good Samaritans who tried to help after witnessing the crash told police that as they approached the vehicle, they saw someone point a gun at them. As they tried to run away, the two heard about six gunshots.
According to police, officers saw a bullet hole in the driver’s side door, near where the suspect’s girlfriend was sitting.
Although not mentioned in charging documents, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating a “use-of-force” incident that occurred during the response. No injuries have been reported.
The highway was closed for more than 12 hours while authorities investigated the incident. It was reopened late Sunday morning.
The suspect’s bail has been set at $300,000, subject to conditions.
Local Domestic Violence Resources
Women’s lawyers
wadvocates.org
Crisis Line: (651) 227-8284
St. Paul & Ramsey County Domestic Violence Intervention Project
stpaulintervention.org
Crisis Line: (651) 645-2824
Minnesota Day One
dagoneservices.org
Crisis Line: 1-866-223-1111
Esperanza United
esperanzaunited.org
Bilingual Crisis Line: (651) 772-1611.
For anonymous, confidential help, people can call the National Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224.
WCCO Staff
