Minneapolis apartment shooting suspect was facing eviction: report
Two Killed and Three Police Officers Injured in Minneapolis Apartment Shooting
Minneapolis, Minn. – On Wednesday afternoon, a shooting at a downtown high‑rise apartment building left two residents dead—including the gunman—and wounded three police officers. The incident, which unfolded in the Shoreline Plaza complex, began around 4:30 p.m. and prompted a rapid response from the Minneapolis Police Department.
When the first emergency calls came in, officers reported a single victim, but additional 911 callers heard more gunfire. Sgt. Garrett Parten told reporters at a press briefing that “initial information indicated that one person had been shot, and additional 911 callers reported hearing further gunfire.” Police entered the building at about 4:39 p.m., where they “encountered victims and heard additional gunfire.” They followed the sound to an upper floor that was shrouded in haze, which severely limited visibility. Three officers were injured by gunfire—two in the shins and one in the abdomen.
The suspected gunman was identified as Carlton Neal Johnson II, a 35‑year‑old resident of Shoreline Plaza who had been living there since March 2025. Johnson was reportedly facing eviction from the complex due to a series of threatening statements and alleged assaults. Court documents obtained by local media show that Johnson had assaulted another resident in March and, in mid‑June, walked around the property with a firearm visibly displayed. He allegedly entered the building’s management office and showed the weapon to several staff members. According to the records, Johnson also told other residents that he had acquired a new gun and “would kill someone.”
Johnson had denied the allegations in the eviction proceedings. A court hearing is scheduled for September 11. In earlier legal matters, the man has been linked to 34 criminal cases in the Twin Cities, the majority involving traffic violations. However, he also faced charges for two assaults and two misdemeanor drug offenses. In 2012, he pleaded guilty to violating a contact order in a domestic‑abuse case.
Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson said investigators were “familiar with who this individual was” but did not provide a motive for the shooting. “At this point, we are still working to understand what happened and why it happened,” Peterson told reporters.
The police department has not yet clarified how the gunman died. While the body of the suspect was recovered, the circumstances remain unclear. “We’re still piecing together the details,” said Sgt. Parten.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the downtown Minneapolis community. Residents of Shoreline Plaza have expressed fear and frustration as the police work to determine the sequence of events that led to the tragic loss of life. Meanwhile, the city’s leaders, including Mayor and city council, are calling for a thorough investigation and for measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
At this time, no additional arrests have been made. The Minneapolis Police Department is continuing its investigation, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses. The city urges anyone with information about the incident or knowledge of the suspect’s whereabouts to come forward.
