Minnesota officials identified two civilians who were killed during a shooting at a Minneapolis apartment complex on Wednesday. Two Minneapolis police officers were injured by gunfire, while another officer suffered a cut from broken glass. The suspected gunman, Carlton Neal Johnson II, 35, died after an exchange of gunfire with police. Investigators said the incident began during a domestic child custody exchange.
The victims were identified as Dale Henry Spry, 63, and Muse A. Afrah, 61. Officials said both were believed to live at the apartment complex, where the shooting unfolded before police responded and Johnson was fatally wounded.
| 1) | Victims identified after deadly apartment shooting |
| 2) | Police officers injured during response |
| 3) | Suspect died after exchange of gunfire |
| 4) | Shooting began during custody exchange |
| 5) | Investigators continue reviewing police gunfire |
Victims identified after deadly apartment shooting
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified the civilians killed in Wednesday’s incident as Dale Henry Spry, 63, and Muse A. Afrah, 61. Officials previously said one victim died at the apartment complex and the other died at a hospital. Both were believed to be residents of the building in Minneapolis.
The identities were released as investigators worked to establish the sequence of events and determine whether Johnson specifically targeted the people who were shot. Authorities have not publicly resolved that question.
Police officers injured during response
The injured Minneapolis Police Department officers were identified as Joseph Michnowski, a five-year veteran, and Yahye Ahmed, who had served for nearly two years. Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson said Ahmed was released from a hospital Thursday, while Michnowski remained hospitalized that afternoon.
Police public information officer Garrett Parten said one officer suffered an apparent non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg and the other underwent surgery. A third officer, Ernest Boateng, was evaluated and released Wednesday after being cut by glass while breaking a window of a locked police vehicle whose sirens were sounding. Officials said Boateng’s injury was not directly caused by gunfire.
Suspect died after exchange of gunfire
Carlton Neal Johnson II opened fire before being fatally struck during an exchange of gunfire with police. A preliminary autopsy found that Johnson died from multiple gunshot wounds, and authorities classified his death as a homicide.
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said at least one officer discharged a weapon during the incident, identifying that officer as Liban Mohamed Ibrahim, a two-year Minneapolis police veteran. Investigators were still determining whether additional officers fired their weapons.
Shooting began during custody exchange
According to Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the shooting began during a domestic child custody exchange involving a woman who had previously been in a relationship with Johnson. Officials said Johnson reportedly shot the woman outside the apartment building.
Johnson then entered the complex, where authorities said he shot an apartment worker before going to the ninth floor. There, he shot Spry and Afrah, who later died. The motive and the precise relationship between the suspect and the people inside the building remained under investigation.
Investigators continue reviewing police gunfire
Investigators are examining the actions of Johnson and the responding officers, including the circumstances in which police weapons were discharged. The review is intended to clarify the sequence of the response and determine whether any other officers fired.
Court records indicated that Johnson was facing eviction from the apartment building. That information provides context about his connection to the property, but officials had not established whether the eviction was related to the shooting or whether it contributed to the events. Authorities continued collecting evidence from the building and interviewing witnesses.
| 1 | Dale Henry Spry and Muse A. Afrah were identified as the two civilian victims. |
| 2 | Joseph Michnowski and Yahye Ahmed were injured by gunfire during the response. |
| 3 | Ernest Boateng suffered a glass-related injury and was released. |
| 4 | The shooting began during a child custody exchange, and police gunfire remains under review. |
Summary
The Minneapolis apartment shooting left two residents dead and two officers injured by gunfire. The suspected gunman also died after being shot by police. Authorities have identified those involved and are continuing to investigate the custody dispute, the suspect’s reported eviction proceedings, and the full sequence of police actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the civilian victims?
Officials identified them as Dale Henry Spry, 63, and Muse A. Afrah, 61. Both were believed to be residents of the apartment complex.
Which officers were injured by gunfire?
Joseph Michnowski and Yahye Ahmed were injured. Ahmed was released from a hospital, while Michnowski remained hospitalized Thursday afternoon.
What started the shooting?
Investigators said it began during a domestic child custody exchange involving a woman who had previously been in a relationship with Johnson. The investigation into the motive and targeting remains ongoing.
