Murder charge filed in Monday killing in downtown Minneapolis

A Minneapolis man has been charged with killing one man and wounding another Monday in downtown Minneapolis.

James D. Wren, 35, was charged Wednesday in Hennepin County District Court with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting Michael Clark, and attempted second-degree murder for wounding another man, who is permanently paralyzed.

The motive for Wren's alleged actions is unclear and was not addressed in the criminal complaint.

Jamar Nelson of A Mother's Love, a violence-prevention group that patrols downtown during the summer months, said earlier this week that Clark was trying to break up a fight when he was shot. Clark and his girlfriend left Augie's Cabaret and saw someone believed to be Clark's nephew fighting with another man, Nelson has said.

According to the charges against Wren: Police were called to a parking lot near Augie's about 2:20 a.m. for a fight. Officers heard gunshots and found the victims on the ground. Both were transported to the hospital, where Clark died from a gunshot wound.

The other victim, who has not been publicly identified by authorities, was permanently paralyzed by a bullet that severed his spine.

A tow-truck driver at the scene told police he saw several people fighting in the parking lot. He also saw Wren walk up and allegedly fire several times at the group before fleeing on foot, the charges said.

The shooting occurred between Hennepin Avenue and N. 1st Avenue, behind the Gay 90's bar and around the corner from the Police Department precinct station on 4th Street.

Police arrested Wren after a short chase.

Surveillance video captured the incident, the charges said. It allegedly showed Wren getting into an altercation with the victims in the parking lot. Wren left but returned with a handgun and allegedly shot the victims at close range.

Wren's criminal record includes a conviction for first-degree assault that prohibited him from possessing a gun.

Chao Xiong • 612-270-4708

Twitter: @ChaoStrib