Man arrested near Willmar after firing gun from Lyn-Lake apartment, then fleeing, shooting motorists

A suspect was arrested in Willmar on Tuesday afternoon, hours after he fired shots from the balcony of an apartment in the heart of Minneapolis’ Lyn-Lake neighborhood and fled, then shot two motorists outside the city limits as he attempted to evade law enforcement in a high-speed chase.

The events unfolded shortly before 1 p.m., when police were called to an apartment complex at 2904 Lyndale Ave. S., where the man fired off several rounds into the street from several stories up. Police shuttered the busy intersection and surrounding blocks from 28th to Lake streets in the densely populated commercial and residential corridor as they attempted to negotiate his surrender.

Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara said in a news conference that the shots were fired shortly after an altercation involving the man’s ex-girlfriend and her current boyfriend, who arrived to the apartment to retrieve some items. The suspect and woman share a child, who was at daycare at the time. Police rushed there to ensure the child’s safety shortly after the suspect fled. The ex-girlfriend and boyfriend were also not harmed.

In a statement posted to X shortly after the incident unfolded, Minneapolis police encouraged people to stay away from the area. Area residents were ordered to shelter in place, along with a nearby Public Works crew, while those returning during the encounter were barred from entering their homes.

A source with knowledge of the investigation said that, at some point, the man then fled the building in a Jeep while a crisis negotiator continued to communicate with him on the phone. En route, at least one vehicle was carjacked and two people were shot.

“It appears some tragedies occurred outside of the city,” after the suspect fled, O’Hara said, although he did not provide details.

Bystanders observing the scene in Minneapolis recalled hearing the female negotiator pleading with the suspect to surrender. ”They were definitely making a concerted effort to convince [the suspect] they wouldn’t hurt him,” a witness, who asked not to be identified, told the Star Tribune. “It sounded like he didn’t trust what they were saying.”

When shots rang out over the phone, the negotiator dropped to her knees and cried. Colleagues could be seen comforting her.

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