Two women lost their lives, and a child was injured after a police chase in north Minneapolis ended in a tragic crash. This incident, which took place on Thursday morning, began with reports of a person armed with a gun and quickly escalated to a carjacking.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara shared details during a news conference. Just after 8 a.m., officers responded to a call about someone with a gun at East Lake Street and Fourth Avenue South. Soon after, they learned that a carjacking was in progress.
Witnesses reported seeing a man in a maroon Ford Explorer driving recklessly. He was speeding, swerving into traffic, and even driving on sidewalks. After crashing, he attempted to steal a car at gunpoint but failed. He then violently carjacked a woman in a black Volkswagen.
After this, the suspect circled back to retrieve three dogs from his vehicle before driving off while firing his weapon. Police spotted him again at 8:19 a.m., and he continued to drive erratically through downtown Minneapolis.
Officers initiated a pursuit, which ended tragically just three minutes later. The suspect collided with another car on Highway 55 near Penn Avenue North. Unfortunately, the two women in that car were pronounced dead at the scene, while the young passenger sustained injuries that are considered survivable.
The suspect was apprehended at the crash site and taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. A gun was found in the suspect’s stolen vehicle. While two of the dogs were injured in the crash, the third had to be euthanized due to serious injuries.
Chief O’Hara expressed deep sorrow over the incident. “This outcome is heartbreaking,” he said. “Two innocent lives were lost due to reckless actions.” He highlighted the importance of addressing carjackings and gun violence, reminding the community how these crimes can impact everyone.
When asked about the police department’s pursuit policy, O’Hara stressed that their guidelines are strict. He explained that while they are often criticized for not pursuing suspects in lesser crimes, they prioritize public safety, only engaging in pursuits when necessary to protect the community from violent offenders.
In light of rising carjacking incidents, a recent report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics noted a 30% surge in carjackings over the past few years, particularly in urban areas. This trend has raised concerns about public safety and police response strategies.
Highway 55 remains closed in both directions. O’Hara confirmed that the Minneapolis Police is leading the investigation into the carjacking, while the Minnesota State Patrol is handling the crash investigation.
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Car Crash, Minneapolis Police, Police Chase, Fatal Crash, Minneapolis
