A Minneapolis man has received a 13-year term for grabbing the steering wheel from his girlfriend, crashing the vehicle on an interstate and getting in a shootout with a state trooper.
Eddie James Freeman, 24, was sentenced last week in Hennepin County District Court after pleading guilty to first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault in connection with the confrontation on Sept. 21, 2024, in Minneapolis on Interstate 94 near the Dowling Avenue exit. The gunfire did not result in any injuries.
With credit for time in jail since his arrest, Freeman is expected to serve the first 6⅓ years in prison and the balance on supervised release.
Troopers were sent at about 10:15 p.m. to the spot where Freeman crashed the vehicle. While en route, they were alerted to shots being fired near the crash scene and were given a description of a possible suspect.
As trooper Mark Vande Steeg arrived, he put his squad spotlight on a man who matched the description. In response, Freeman fired several shots at the trooper.
A Minneapolis police officer arrived, and Freeman fired in the officer’s direction.
More officers arrived and surrounded Freeman, who threw his gun down and was arrested. While in custody, he spit on an officer’s face.
