Minneapolis: Suspect charged after HSI agent witnessed shots fired
By Crime Watch MN, Aug. 19, 2022
Two federal agents working in Minneapolis helped report and track down a man now charged with shooting at another vehicle in north Minneapolis midday on Monday.
Crime Watch first reported about 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 15, that police were in the area of Humboldt Avenue North and Plymouth Avenue North trying to stop a vehicle that had been involved in shots fired at another vehicle, according to dispatch audio.
Police had the Impala in view and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle fled.
An officer asked if they had permission to pursue the vehicle. Another officer, presumably a sergeant, aired that the pursuit was not authorized since a victim had not yet contacted 911. Another officer aired that the original incident had been witnessed by an “HSI” agent, but by that time the suspect vehicle had sped away.
Officers continued to search the area for the vehicle and eventually saw a male and a female walking near 8th and Elwood Avenue North. Police aired that the male matched the description of the male that had been observed from the suspect vehicle, and the two were detained.
Police also eventually found the Impala at an address on 12th and Morgan Avenue North. Inside the vehicle, police located a spent shell casing and a gun, according to dispatch audio.
Christopher James Jones, 30, who lists an address on the 100 block of West Grant Street in downtown Minneapolis, was booked into Hennepin County Jail. On Wednesday, Jones was charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and fleeing police in a motor vehicle, both felonies.
From the victim
Crime Watch was contacted by the victim late Monday evening after seeing our post on the incident. The victim told us that she had been the “target” of the shooter. The victim explained to us that she had been at a stop sign and the suspect had also been at the intersection. She said the suspect wouldn’t go, so she pointed at the stop sign and motioned to him that he could go. She said he still would not go, and she said he indicated she could go, so she did.
She then looked in her mirror to see that he had his window down and was pointing a gun at her. He fired a shot and drove off, she said. She didn’t immediately call 911 but called a relative to say she’d been shot at. The relative urged her to call 911. She said she waited about 8 to 10 minutes to call, at which time the operator told her they already knew about the incident but hadn’t been able to pursue him because the victim hadn’t come forward yet.
According to the charges (abridged)
On August 15, 2022, an officer with the Minneapolis Park Police was on patrol near North Commons Park in the city of Minneapolis, Minn., when he heard a gunshot nearby. The officer was flagged down by a Homeland Security Agent who told the officer someone in a black Chevrolet Impala with Minnesota registration HTZ003 almost collided with an SUV. An occupant of the Impala then fired at an SUV as it was driving away.
A short time later, an Alcohol Tobacco and Firearm Agent aired that he had located the suspect vehicle eastbound on Plymouth Avenue. Officers with the Minneapolis Park Police located the vehicle on Plymouth Avenue. The officer could see that the driver, later identified as CHRISTOPHER JAMES JONES, DOB: 09/02/1991, Defendant herein, was wearing an orange shirt and had an afro. There was a female passenger in the vehicle as well. The officer activated the squad’s emergency lights and siren to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle did not stop for officers. Defendant continued to flee, but officers terminated the pursuit.
A short time later, a known adult female, Victim herein, called 911 to report the shooting. Victim recalled almost being struck by the Impala and seeing Defendant’s arm out of the window. Victim did not know whether her vehicle was struck by a bullet.
Officers began searching the area for the vehicle and Defendant. Defendant and the female were located walking on 8th Avenue North and Morgan Avenue North. Defendant’s vehicle was found parked at 12xx Morgan Avenue North. Officers observed a handgun and discharged cartridge casing in plain view in the backseat of the vehicle.
Jones made his first court appearance on the charges on Thursday, at which time he was denied a public defender.
Although Jones remained in custody as of 12:30 a.m. Friday, the court record indicates that Jones has been ordered conditionally released with no bail required by Judicial Officer Lyonel Norris.
We will continue to follow developments in this case and will update when Jones’ release is confirmed.
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