Gunman Carjacks Woman, Fires Shots Before Deadly Crash In Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — Two women were killed Thursday when a carjacked vehicle being pursued by Minneapolis police crashed into their car at Olson Memorial Highway and Penn Avenue North, authorities said.

Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the violence began just after 8 a.m. when officers responded to reports of a man with a gun near Lake Street East and 4th Avenue South. The suspect was first seen driving a maroon Ford Explorer recklessly, swerving into traffic, speeding, and even going onto sidewalks.

The man then crashed the Explorer and tried to carjack one driver at gunpoint, who managed to escape. He successfully carjacked another woman’s black Volkswagen sedan. Before leaving the scene, he retrieved three dogs from the Explorer, pointed a gun at a bystander, and fired shots as he fled.

By 8:19 a.m., 911 calls reported the Volkswagen being driven recklessly downtown. Officers tracked the car to the Fourth Precinct, attempted a stop, and initiated a three-minute pursuit. The chase ended when the suspect slammed into a bystander's vehicle, killing two women inside and injuring a boy. The boy was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was arrested at the scene with apparent non-life-threatening injuries and transported to North Memorial Hospital. He will be booked into Hennepin County Jail once released. Police recovered a firearm and the three dogs; one had to be euthanized, and two are being treated for injuries.

“This is an outcome we never want—a devastating incident with very heartbreaking and permanent consequences,” said Chief O’Hara. “A gunman drove recklessly throughout the city, at excessive speeds and even onto sidewalks, carjacking a woman and firing shots on a crowded city street, jeopardizing human life. This criminal put countless lives at risk, and this is exactly why we take violent crime so seriously. ”

The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the fatal crash, and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is assisting. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will release the victims’ names.