Two Minneapolis men were charged Tuesday with first-degree assault for allegedly shooting at police officers in downtown Minneapolis this past weekend. Several civilians were injured in the gunfire.
Maurice Carter, 25, and Detroit Davis-Riley, 26, were charged in connection with the shooting at 2:30 a.m. Saturday at Hennepin Avenue and 5th Street. Davis-Riley also was charged with being a felon in possession of a gun.
"This reckless and highly dangerous gunfire in Minneapolis must stop," said County Attorney Mike Freeman in announcing the charges. "We have charged two men with nine counts of shooting at police officers, and we plan to aggressively prosecute these cases. In addition, investigation is ongoing in the shootings where civilians also were targeted and additional charges may be forthcoming."
Freeman will address the Minneapolis City Council about the downtown shooting and related public safety issues at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the council's chambers.
According to the criminal complaint, several officers saw a man in a red sweatshirt, identified as Carter, shoot several rounds from a semiautomatic handgun and then walk away. Officers apprehended Carter and recovered a loaded gun in his waistband.
Other officers observed a second individual, later identified as Davis-Riley, holding a handgun. Davis-Riley fled into a nearby alley, where he was captured. Surveillance video showed both Carter and Davis-Riley firing their weapons, the complaint states.
When the gunfire stopped, officers clearing the scene found six people who had suffered bullet wounds. They were taken to hospitals for treatment and are expected to recover.
Carter and Davis-Riley are expected to make their first court appearance Wednesday.
