A deadly shooting at a downtown Minneapolis apartment building left multiple people dead and several wounded, law enforcement investigators said. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified the shooter as Carlton Johnson, who died after an apparent exchange of gunfire with police, Drew Evans said.
Evans said the violence began outside the building entrance during an arranged custody handoff when Johnson shot and wounded a woman believed to be the mother of his child. The child was not injured, authorities said.
After the initial shots, Johnson wounded two building employees, rode an elevator to the ninth floor, and killed two residents there, the bureau reported. Police found multiple victims and returned fire, killing Johnson in the confrontation, Evans said.
Two Minneapolis police officers were among the wounded. Officials said one officer was shot in the leg and another was struck twice in the abdomen. A third officer suffered other injuries during the response. All three officers were hospitalized and expected to make full recoveries, authorities said.
Investigators processed the scene Wednesday evening with a mobile crime scene unit at the building, where residents sheltered nearby, Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer said. Shaffer said 16 displaced residents stayed in a church overnight and the Red Cross provided support.
Eviction History, Prior Complaints, And Legal Review
Court records and the apartment management company show Johnson faced eviction from his ninth-floor unit. The company said it had sought lease termination after incidents in June, including an assault, open display of a firearm, and death threats, according to the complaint filed in the eviction case.
KSTP reported the management company had documented six disturbances involving Johnson dating back to January. The company allowed him a second chance after June under the condition he conceal the firearm on the premises, the records say. A hearing was scheduled for September 11 in the eviction case.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said prosecutors investigated a June 25 encounter when Johnson displayed a handgun but did not charge him. Minneapolis police told prosecutors he had a valid carry permit, Moriarty said, and the office concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove a charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Neighbors described repeated confrontations. Resident Julius Bailey said he counted eight shots and recognized a man holding a pistol as he ran to safety. Chris Miller said he had already reported an earlier hallway encounter to building management.
Authorities said they were still piecing together Johnson’s motive and whether he targeted specific people in the hallway. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension continues to lead the investigation and sift evidence from the scene.
