Man who carried out deadly Minneapolis apartment shooting was investigated for handgun in June, officials say

Man Who Carried Out Deadly Minneapolis Shooting

Earthguardiansonline.com – The man who carried out deadly gunfire inside a downtown Minneapolis apartment building had been investigated just weeks earlier after displaying a handgun during a June encounter, according to county prosecutors. Carlton Johnson, the shooter, was killed by responding officers after a sequence of shots left two residents dead and five additional people wounded. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension superintendent Drew Evans confirmed the details Thursday, noting that Johnson was facing eviction and had threatened a fellow resident with a firearm in the months before the incident.

Sequence of Events at the Apartment Building

Evans explained that the violence began just outside the building’s main entrance during an arranged custody handoff. Johnson fired at and wounded a woman believed to be the mother of his child; the child was not hurt. He then shot two building employees before riding an elevator to the ninth floor, where he killed two residents. Police arrived moments later and killed Johnson in a brief exchange of gunfire.

Among the five wounded were two Minneapolis police officers struck by bullets and a third officer injured elsewhere during the operation. One officer was hit in the leg; another was shot twice in the abdomen. All three were hospitalized and expected to make full recoveries, officials said.

“This is once again a situation where domestic violence is central to a really terrible situation,” Evans told reporters.

June Handgun Investigation and Prosecutorial Decision

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Johnson displayed the weapon during a June 25 encounter but did not remove it from his waistband. Minneapolis Police responded that day and confirmed he held a legal permit to carry. Moriarty’s office ultimately declined to file charges, citing “insufficient evidence to prove a charge beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Resident and Official Reactions

Minneapolis council member Elizabeth Shaffer, who represents the neighborhood, said 16 displaced residents sheltered overnight in a nearby church while the Red Cross provided support. She noted her staff had received no prior constituent complaints about building safety or management.

Resident Julius Bailey, who moved into the building in June, was sitting outside the entrance with a friend when he heard gunshots and spotted a man he recognized holding a pistol. Bailey counted eight shots as he ran for cover, describing the shooter as someone well known in the building for belligerent behavior and showing off his weapon. “I could tell he was trouble,” Bailey said. Neighbor Chris Miller reported hearing a rapid succession of gunshots and said he had earlier that week encountered a person with a handgun in the hallway and reported the sighting to building management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the Minneapolis apartment shooting take place? The shooting occurred Wednesday evening in a downtown Minneapolis apartment building. Dozens of law enforcement officers and a mobile crime-scene unit from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were on site Thursday as investigators processed the scene.

How many people were killed or injured? Three people died in total: two building residents and the shooter, Carlton Johnson. Five others were wounded, including three Minneapolis police officers.

What happened in the June handgun investigation? On June 25, Johnson displayed a handgun during an encounter with police. He held a valid permit to carry, and the Hennepin County Attorney’s office determined there was insufficient evidence to bring charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

What support is available to displaced residents? The American Red Cross provided overnight shelter and assistance at a nearby church for 16 displaced residents. Council member Shaffer’s office is coordinating follow-up support for affected tenants.