The man who killed two people and wounded six others in a Minneapolis shooting Wednesday had a long record of violent threats and run-ins with police, according to multiple reports. Yet he remained free, awaiting court proceedings, when he carried out the attack.
Carlton Neal Johnson II, identified by CBS News through multiple law enforcement sources, allegedly threatened to shoot his ex-girlfriend and other residents at the Loring Towers apartment complex for months before the rampage. Court records show he was facing eviction after committing assault and brandishing a firearm at staff and neighbors.
Threats Ignored Despite Warnings
An eviction notice obtained by Alpha News lists incidents dating back to January, including a March assault on a fellow resident, a June visit to the office where Johnson aggressively displayed his gun, and another June incident where he told multiple people he was going to kill someone with his new gun.
Shortly after that, CBS reported, Johnson was outside with his gun, appearing to target a specific resident. Someone called police, but Johnson was not arrested. He then allegedly tried to bribe other residents to reveal who had called police.
A neighbor told the New York Post that Johnson had explicitly threatened to shoot two property managers and his ex-girlfriend. Another neighbor said Johnson was fighting people “every day,” yet police never arrested him.
Eviction Triggered Attack
Staff at the building managed to evict Johnson on Wednesday — the same day he went on his shooting spree. Court records indicate an eviction hearing was held July 23, with a continuance ordered Aug. 6 and the next hearing scheduled for Sept. 11. Johnson died by suicide after the attack, and two of his victims also died.
Police Response Hampered by Haze
When police responded to the shooting report, they headed toward the gunfire and encountered the suspect. An exchange of gunfire ensued, Interim Chief Peterson said, but officers’ efforts were hampered by a “haze” in the building that significantly limited visibility.
Three officers were injured, two by gunfire — one shot in the leg, the other twice in the abdomen. Both are expected to survive.
Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara acknowledged at a press conference that he was familiar with the shooter, indicating a prior criminal history, though he did not name him. Alpha News reported Johnson had a record dating back to 2011, including domestic abuse, domestic assault, drug paraphernalia, and numerous citations for driving with a suspended license.
The case raises renewed questions about Minnesota’s pretrial release policies and how a man with a documented pattern of violent threats remained on the streets. As one resident put it, the red flags were visible for months — but authorities did not act.
Source: pjmedia.com — https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/09/03/neighbors-warned-police-minnesota-mass-shooter-was-serially-threatening-violence-n4956854
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
