Minneapolis Gunman Killed Two, Wounded Officers After Years of Threats

The suspect in this week’s deadly Minneapolis shooting, who killed two people and wounded several others, had been flagged for gun-threat charges and a red flag order weeks before his rampage.

The gunman, identified as 35-year-old Carlton Neal Johnson II, also died. The shooting began just before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Shoreline Plaza in downtown Minneapolis. Johnson fired at a woman outside during what appeared to be a custody exchange, then moved into the building, killing two employees on the first floor. He died on the ninth floor in an exchange with police after officers followed gunfire through an upper-floor hallway with limited visibility due to haze.

Two Minneapolis police officers, Joseph Michnowski, shot in the stomach, and Yahye Ahmed, shot in the leg, were wounded by gunfire and are expected to recover. A third officer was injured in a separate incident after breaking a window of a locked squad car. Officer Liban Mohamed Ibrahim fired his weapon during the encounter. Johnson was facing eviction from the apartment property after a string of incidents, including assault and allegedly showing a gun to apartment management.

Minnesota officials confirmed Johnson had a valid handgun carry permit. Investigators are examining potential links to eviction proceedings, and the motive is still under review.