Three people died, including the suspect, and five others were wounded Wednesday when gunfire erupted inside a downtown Minneapolis apartment building. Police Interim Chief Bill Peterson said officers rushed into the building within two minutes of a 911 call, confronting a chaotic scene and a heavy haze on an upper floor.
The violent encounter unfolded just after 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday inside a high-rise residential building near 15 East Grant Street in downtown Minneapolis. According to The Associated Press, 911 dispatchers received emergency calls reporting shots fired at the property, prompting an immediate law enforcement response.
Inside the High-Rise: Police Response and Gunfire
Officers arrived at the building less than two minutes after the initial dispatch, according to TwinCities.com. As officers entered the tower, they immediately encountered victims and followed the sound of gunshots to an upper floor. Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson noted that officers on the upper level encountered a haze that significantly limited their visibility
before they exchanged gunfire with the gunman.
One victim died at the scene, while a second succumbed to injuries after arriving at the hospital. The suspected shooter also died during the incident, though police stated it was not immediately clear how the gunman perished.
Injured Officers and Medical Response
Five people suffered gunshot wounds during the rampage, including two Minneapolis police officers. One wounded officer was shot in the leg, and another was struck twice in the abdomen.
Hennepin County Medical Center received seven patients in total following the shooting. CBS News reported that four additional officers experienced adverse effects after being exposed to an unknown airborne substance at the scene, while two other officers suffered injuries when their squad car crashed on Nicollet Avenue outside a Target store while responding to the emergency.
Eviction Proceedings and Prior Threats
Court records uncovered by investigators revealed that the suspected shooter—identified by sources as 35-year-old Calton Neal Johnson II—was facing eviction from Loring Towers after a series of threatening incidents, according to FOX 9. Court filings indicate that Johnson, who lived on the ninth floor, had a history of brandishing weapons inside the building.
On June 11, Johnson walked around the premises with a firearm openly displayed
and entered the management office, where he lifted up his shirt to display his firearm
to multiple staff members. Neighbors told reporters they had previously reported Johnson for carrying a handgun in the hallways and making threats.
Witness Accounts and Government Reactions
Residents described hearing a rapid succession of gunfire echoing through the building. Julius Bailey, who was sitting outside, told reporters that he counted eight shots and recognized the gunman as a resident known for showing off his weapons. Another resident, Chris Miller, said he encountered someone with a handgun in the hallway earlier in the week and reported the individual to management.
State and federal leaders offered swift support as law enforcement secured the densely populated Loring Park neighborhood.
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