3 minNews
Minneapolis shooting victims, injured officers identified
Minnesota officials identified two civilians killed and two police officers injured in a Minneapolis apartment shooting, with the suspected gunman also dead.
Minnesota officials have identified the two civilians killed and two police officers injured in Wednesday’s shooting at a Minneapolis apartment building. The victims were Dale Henry Spry, 63, and Muse A. Afrah, 61, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Both are believed to have been residents of the apartment complex where the gunman, Carlton Neal Johnson II, 35, opened fire before being fatally shot in an exchange with police.
The two injured Minneapolis Police Department officers were identified as Joseph Michnowski, a five-year veteran, and Yahye Ahmed, a nearly two-year veteran. Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson said during a briefing that Ahmed was released from a hospital Thursday, while Michnowski remained hospitalized Thursday afternoon. Garrett Parten, an MPD public information officer, said one officer sustained an apparent non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg, while the other underwent surgery. A third officer, Ernest Boateng, was evaluated and released after being cut by glass while breaking a window of a locked police vehicle whose sirens were going off; his injuries were not directly related to gunfire.
The BCA said at least one officer discharged his gun during the incident, identifying the officer as Liban Mohamed Ibrahim, a two-year MPD veteran. Investigators are continuing to determine whether any other officers fired their weapons. A preliminary autopsy indicated Johnson died from multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide.
Wednesday’s shooting began during a domestic child custody exchange involving a woman who previously had a relationship with Johnson, according to Drew Evans, superintendent of the BCA. Johnson reportedly shot the woman outside the building before going inside, where he shot another facility worker. He then went to the ninth floor, where he shot two residents who later died. Officials have not determined whether Johnson specifically targeted the victims.
Johnson was facing eviction from the apartment building, according to court records. The incident has raised questions about the circumstances leading up to the violence, though authorities have not released further details about the custody exchange or the eviction proceedings.
The shooting has drawn attention to the challenges of responding to domestic-related incidents and the risks faced by law enforcement officers. The MPD and BCA are continuing their investigation, and officials have urged anyone with information to come forward.
