Two Neighbors Killed in Minneapolis Shooting Identified

The two individuals killed in a mass shooting at a downtown Minneapolis apartment complex have been identified as Dale Spry, 63, and Muse Afrah, 61, both neighbors of the gunman, Carlton Johnson II. Johnson was reportedly facing eviction from his apartment, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Spry, a U.S. Marine veteran, experienced PTSD after his military service, as stated by his estranged daughter Sarah Parsons. Parsons expressed her difficulty in processing his death, while Vicki Parsons, the mother of Spry's children, described the news as shocking and stated, "Nobody deserves to die like that." Johnson, 35, was reportedly killed during an exchange of gunfire with police, according to BCA Superintendent Drew Evans. A preliminary autopsy indicated that Johnson died from multiple gunshot wounds. The shooting began during a child custody exchange involving Johnson and a woman he had a relationship with outside Shoreline Plaza on Wednesday afternoon. Johnson shot the woman in the leg before entering the apartment building, where he shot two employees, one at close range. The child involved was unharmed but experienced trauma from witnessing the incident. Johnson then took an elevator to the ninth floor, where he shot Spry and Afrah. Investigators are uncertain if the two men were specifically targeted. Officers Joseph Michnowski and Yayhe Ahmed sustained gunshot wounds but are in stable condition, while a third officer, Ernest Boateng, was injured by glass. Prior to the shooting, Johnson had allegedly threatened residents and had been involved in multiple incidents at Shoreline Plaza. He received an eviction notice and was scheduled for a hearing on September 11. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty stated that a case was submitted to her office regarding Johnson on August 20 for potential criminal charges related to a prior incident where he threatened a resident and brandished a firearm. However, the case was not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence. A harassment restraining order was filed against Johnson by a resident the day after the criminal investigation was submitted. Additionally, Johnson's behavior was noted for an Extreme Risk Protection Order, but insufficient evidence prevented the filing of the order.