Minneapolis man crashed girlfriend's car over break-up before firing gun at responding troopers, charges say
UPDATE (Sept. 25, 2024) — The suspect charged in this shooting has been identified as 23-year-old Eddie James Freeman.
MINNEAPOLIS — A 23-year-old Minneapolis man is accused of crashing his girlfriend's car when she attempted to end their relationship before firing multiple shots at state troopers, shutting down part of Interstate 94 late Saturday night.
Eddie James Freeman is charged with four counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one count each of first-degree assault against a peace officer and fourth-degree assault against a peace officer," according to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office.
Troopers were dispatched to a single-vehicle crash in the area of eastbound I-94 and Dowling Avenue in Minneapolis around 10:15 p.m. While on the way, troopers received information that shots had been fired at the scene, charges say.
One trooper approached Lowry Avenue with his squad lights and sirens activated and put a spotlight on a person who matched Freeman's description. That's when Freeman allegedly raised his arm and pointed at the squad car, firing multiple shots.
The trooper, identified by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension as Mark Vande Steeg, returned fire. Vande Steeg, who has one year of law enforcement experience, was placed on standard critical incident leave.
As additional law enforcement officers responded, an officer with the Minneapolis Police Department reported seeing Freeman raise his hand and pointing what appeared to be a gun in his direction before he heard "what he believed to be a gunshot," charges say.
More officers surrounded Freeman and he was observed tossing the gun before officers arrested him, according to the criminal complaint. Police also recovered the gun that had been thrown.
During his arrest, Freeman allegedly spit in the face of a Minneapolis police officer.
Officers spoke with the driver of the vehicle that had crashed and she said Freeman was her boyfriend. Charges say the two had been driving on I-94 when she told Freeman the "relationship was over." He then grabbed the steering wheel, causing the car to crash. After the crash, she says he exited the vehicle and she heard multiple gunshots outside.
Court documents say two good Samaritans who attempted to help after witnessing the crash told police that as they got closer to the vehicle, they saw someone pointing a gun at them. As they went to run away, the two heard approximately six gunshots.
Police say officers observed a bullet hole in the driver's side door near where Freeman's girlfriend had been sitting. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The interstate shut down for more than 12 hours as authorities investigated the incident before reopening late Sunday morning.
Freeman's bail has been set at $300,000 with conditions. He made his first appearance in court on Wednesday afternoon.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says it is investigating the trooper's "use-of-force."
Local Domestic Violence Resources
Women's Advocates
wadvocates.org
Crisis Line: (651) 227-8284
St. Paul & Ramsey County Domestic Abuse Intervention Project
stpaulintervention.org
Crisis Line: (651) 645-2824
Minnesota Day One
dayoneservices.org
Crisis Line: 1-866-223-1111
Esperanza United
esperanzaunited.org
Bilingual crisis line: (651) 772-1611.
For anonymous, confidential help, people can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224.