Sheriff: Warrant Out For Suspect Charged In Columbia Heights Murder
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Anoka County Sheriff's Office says a suspect has been identified and a warrant issued for the arrest of a man accused of murder in a Columbia Heights shooting on Sunday.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 18-year-old Evan Ramon Denny. He has been charged with second-degree murder in the incident. Authorities are actively looking for Denny and are asking for the public's help with providing any information that may lead to his arrest.
According to a criminal complaint, Columbia Heights police were called in the early-morning hours on Sunday to a report of a shooting at 1266 Circle Terrace Boulevard. When officers arrived, an adult male had been shot multiple times before friends had taken him to Unity Hospital. A neighbor told police he heard the gunshots, went outside and saw as many as 11 people leaving the residence in a hurry.
The victim, identified as Mohamud Abdiwahab Hilowle, suffered at least three gunshot wounds. He was transported from Unity Hospital to North Memorial before being pronounced dead.
The complaint states Denny and Hilowle got into an argument over a cell phone. Denny left the residence for a short time before returning inside and shooting at Hilowle.
An investigation showed that Denny's mother had recently been involved with pawn transactions involving a .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun. There were two casings at the scene from a gun matching that description.
Law enforcement has been told that Denny has hiding after multiple attempts to contact and locate him have failed. He is described as a Native American male about 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing about 216 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He wears glasses, has braces and has a tattoo "Denny" on his right forearm.
Authorities say if you see Denny, you should not approach him and use caution. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call the Anoka County Sheriff's Office at (763) 427-1212.