By: Minka Koskinen

September 5, 2025

According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, calls came in early Thursday morning around 8:00 a.m. reporting an armed individual near Lake Street East and 4th Avenue South.

These reports were later updated to a carjacking incident when the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Troy Mike Payton, was seen driving a Ford Explorer at high speed before crashing the vehicle. After the crash, Payton carjacked a black Volkswagen at gunpoint, following a failed attempt to carjack another individual.

Multiple witnesses reported that Payton fired shots before leaving the scene. None of the shots are believed to have struck anyone.

Police initiated a pursuit, during which Payton crashed the black Volkswagen into another uninvolved vehicle while fleeing. Two adult women in that vehicle died at the scene from their injuries. A child who was also in the vehicle was transported by EMS; reports indicate the child’s injuries are not life-threatening.

Payton had also moved three dogs from the first carjacked vehicle into the black Volkswagen. One of the dogs was euthanized due to its injuries.

The suspect is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries at North Memorial Hospital and will be transported to Hennepin County Jail upon release.

No officers were injured.

The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash with assistance from Hennepin County Sheriff’s Crime Scene investigators.

“This is an outcome we never want—a devastating incident with very heartbreaking and permanent consequences,” said Chief O’Hara. “A gunman drove recklessly throughout the city, at excessive speeds and even onto sidewalks, carjacking a woman and firing shots on a crowded city street, jeopardizing human life. This criminal put countless lives at risk, and this is exactly why we take violent crime so seriously.”

This story is still developing. Further updates will be shared as more information becomes available.