A deadly downtown Minneapolis shooting that left three people dead and six people injured Wednesday began as an arranged custody exchange outside an apartment building, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Authorities stated that the suspect, 35-year-old Carlton Johnson II, died during an exchange of gunfire with police at Shoreline Plaza, which was formerly known as Loring Towers.
Timeline of the Shoreline Plaza Shooting
The incident unfolded on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, just off Nicollet Avenue and East Grant Street. According to the BCA, Johnson was outside Shoreline Plaza at approximately 4:30 p.m. for a scheduled custody exchange involving his child and the child’s mother. During the encounter, Johnson allegedly shot the child’s mother before entering the apartment building.
Once inside, Johnson shot two building employees: a woman who sustained serious injuries and a man who suffered less severe injuries, the BCA reported. The child managed to run away to safety and was physically unharmed, according to authorities. Johnson then took the elevator to the ninth floor, where he rented an apartment and lived alone, shooting two residents in that hallway.
Did You Know? Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated that police had a squad car en route to Shoreline Plaza just 44 seconds after the first 911 call, with officers entering the building 1 minute and 42 seconds after the initial call. At least 157 police officers were ultimately assigned to the incident.
Victim Identification and Law Enforcement Response
The BCA identified the two residents killed on the ninth floor as 63-year-old Dale Henry Spry and 61-year-old Muse Abdi Afrah. Both men died from their injuries, with one passing at the scene and the other at a hospital. The injured mother of Johnson’s child and the two wounded building employees have not been publicly identified and remain in recovery.
Responding officers entering the building encountered a hazy substance on the upper floors that significantly limited visibility, which Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey later suggested may have originated from an exploded fire extinguisher. Two Minneapolis Police Department officers were shot and injured during the exchange: Joseph Michnowski, a five-year veteran, and Yahye Ahmed, a nearly two-year veteran. A third officer sustained an injury unrelated to gunfire when a squad window broke. Ahmed was released from the hospital on Thursday, while Michnowski remained hospitalized that afternoon. Officer Liban Mohamed Ibrahim and Officer Ahmed both discharged their firearms during the confrontation, according to the BCA.
Expert Insight: As law enforcement agencies and prosecutors examine the tragedy, officials have emphasized the severe public safety risks tied to domestic disputes.
Investigation into Motive and Background
Investigators are reviewing surveillance camera footage from Shoreline Plaza that captured the entire sequence of events. While a definitive motive remains under investigation by the BCA and the Minneapolis Police Department, records show Johnson used a handgun and possessed a valid permit to carry a firearm. Additionally, local reporting indicated Johnson was challenging an eviction order from the building.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty confirmed that prosecutors previously reviewed a June 25 police call involving Johnson to determine if an Extreme Risk Protection Order forcing him to surrender weapons was warranted. Prosecutors ultimately determined there was insufficient evidence for that order or any related charges at that time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the Minneapolis shooting?
According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the violence began during a custody exchange outside Shoreline Plaza involving Carlton Johnson II, his child, and the child’s mother.
Who were the victims identified in the incident?
The BCA identified the two residents killed on the ninth floor as 63-year-old Dale Henry Spry and 61-year-old Muse Abdi Afrah. Two police officers, Joseph Michnowski and Yahye Ahmed, were shot and injured, while the child’s mother and two building employees were wounded.
What happened to the suspect?
Authorities stated that 35-year-old Carlton Johnson II died during an exchange of gunfire with police officers on the upper floors of the apartment building.
What steps do you believe local authorities should take next to address the intersection of domestic disputes and housing disputes? Please share your thoughts below.
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