Charges dropped after MPD misidentifies man who they believe attacked Minneapolis homeless shelter
UPDATE (Sept. 17, 2024) — The Hennepin County Attorney's Office on Tuesday afternoon announced the man they believed attacked a north Minneapolis homeless shelter earlier in the month was misidentified.
The charges against the 35-year-old man — which included two counts of second-degree assault and one count each of second-degree riot, threats of violence, and prohibited possession of a firearm — were dismissed after he told investigators his alibi, which was verified.
The attorney's office said they were informed by the Minneapolis Police Department that the man was misidentified as the suspect who pistol-whipped two people and fired a gun.
Minneapolis police said in a statement that they have identified a new suspect, who shares "several physical characteristics," has a "similar relationship with a witness" and drives a "similar vehicle" to the man who was misidentified. The new suspect, police said, has not been arrested.
"MPD shared this information with us right away as part of their ongoing investigation, and upon learning this information, we immediately began the process of filing a written dismissal," the Hennepin County Attorney's Office says.
The attorney's office added that the investigation is ongoing, and the man they had in custody will be released "as soon as possible."
Police said that while charges were dismissed, the man remains a suspect in a separate incident that happened at the shelter on Aug. 4.
A woman is charged in the attack.
Read the previous version of the story below:
A second person is facing criminal charges in connection with the attack on a north Minneapolis homeless shelter earlier this month.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says a 35-year-old man is charged with two counts of second-degree assault and one count each of second-degree riot, threats of violence and prohibited possession of a firearm.
According to the criminal complaint, the man is accused of pistol-whipping two residents on Sept. 5 outside of St. Anne's Place amid an ongoing dispute about parking. The shelter is located off North Russell and 26th avenues.
Authorities say the dispute started "when a group of women across the street yelled at a shelter resident to move her car," the complaint states. The man allegedly struck several blows to the back of one of the victim's heads, and hit the other victim "in the head and eye area, causing her vision issues."
The complaint states the man then warned the victims he was armed before firing twice in the air. The suspects then chased residents into the shelter. According to the complaint, a shelter worker closed the door after the residents ran in, and later told police the man threatened to "shoot the women and children."
Surveillance video shows the man aiming his gun at the victims standing inside the shelter before he fires a round at one of the victim's vehicles, the complaint states. Police arrested the man during a traffic stop on Friday night about a mile away from the shelter.
Video also shows two people attacking the building with baseball bats, shattering two of its doors. One of those suspects, a 33-year-old woman, was charged on Friday with second-degree riot while armed with a dangerous weapon and first-degree property damage. She is still in custody.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says the charges filed against two of the suspects "reflect the seriousness of this behavior."
"Some of our most vulnerable community members, unhoused people seeking shelter, were violently assaulted in a place where they should be assured of safety," Moriarty said.
Hoang Murphy, CEO of People Service People, which runs St. Anne's, told WCCO the suspects — whom he says live across the street — caused at least $10,000 worth of damage.
Murphy says St. Anne's houses 16 families with a total of 54 women and children. All residents were safely moved to another building in the attack's aftermath.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said on Friday that more arrests are likely.
"I am thankful for the investigators who labored to identify this suspect and for broadcasting the information department-wide. Through a coordinated effort, officers were able to locate and arrest this individual without incident," O'Hara said.
NOTE: The attached video is from Sept. 11, before any arrests were made and charges were filed.