Man who carried out deadly Minneapolis apartment shooting was investigated for handgun in June, officials say
Man Who Carried Out Deadly Minneapolis Shooting Had June Gun Check
Activelifezero.com – The man who carried out deadly violence outside a downtown Minneapolis apartment building on Wednesday evening had been scrutinized by county prosecutors just weeks earlier over a handgun display that produced no charges. Carlton Johnson, the gunman at the center of the tragedy, killed two residents and wounded five others before police shot and killed him during a brief exchange of fire on the ninth floor. Investigators confirmed the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute that erupted during a routine custody handoff.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, addressed reporters Thursday to outline what authorities know about the sequence of events. Evans described the shooting as rooted in domestic conflict and confirmed that Johnson was killed by officers upon their arrival at the building following initial calls reporting gunfire.
“This is once again a situation where domestic violence is central to a really terrible situation,” Evans told reporters Thursday.
How the Custody Handoff Turned Fatal
According to Evans, the first shots rang out just outside the building’s main entrance during what had been arranged as a routine exchange of a child between parents. Johnson fired at and wounded a woman believed to be the mother of his child; the child was not hurt. He then turned his weapon toward two employees of the building before boarding an elevator to the ninth floor. Upstairs, he killed two residents in the hallway before responding officers engaged him in a short firefight that ended his life.
Evans noted that investigators had not yet determined whether Johnson was deliberately targeting those two residents or simply crossed paths with them in the corridor. Court documents reviewed by authorities indicate that Johnson had been facing eviction and had, over the months preceding the shooting, threatened another resident with a firearm.
The June Handgun Investigation That Ended Without Charges
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty disclosed Thursday that the man who carried out deadly Minneapolis apartment shooting had been investigated on June 25 after displaying a handgun during an encounter. Minneapolis Police responded to that day’s call and confirmed he held a legal permit to carry the weapon. Despite the investigation, no charges were ultimately filed.
Moriarty’s remarks added a layer of scrutiny to the case, raising questions about whether the earlier encounter might have offered warning signs. Officials did not elaborate on the specifics of the June interaction beyond confirming the handgun display and the permit verification.
What Residents and Families Need to Know
Minneapolis Police and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office have not yet released a full timeline of the investigation or additional details about the victims beyond confirming two fatalities and five injuries. Families of those affected were notified, and the building’s management was cooperating with investigators as of Thursday. Authorities urged residents in the immediate area to expect increased police presence while the inquiry continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the gunman charged before the shooting?
No. Carlton Johnson was investigated on June 25 after displaying a handgun, but no charges were filed. Minneapolis Police confirmed he held a legal permit to carry the weapon at the time of that encounter.
How many people were killed or injured?
Two residents were killed and five additional people were wounded. Johnson himself was shot and killed by responding officers. A child present at the scene was not hurt.
What triggered the shooting?
Authorities described the incident as rooted in a domestic dispute that escalated during a custody handoff outside the apartment building. Evans characterized it as a situation where domestic violence was central to the tragedy.
Is the investigation ongoing?
Yes. Investigators had not yet determined whether the two residents killed in the hallway were specifically targeted or encountered Johnson by chance. Additional details were expected to emerge as the inquiry continued.
