Sunday June 2, 2024
Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed / HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Minneapolis (HOL) — Mustafa Ahmed Mohamed has been identified by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's office as the suspect in Thursday's south Minneapolis mass shooting and ambush that left Officer Jamal Mitchell dead. Mohamed, who had a history of violent crime and was wanted on several warrants, was killed in a shootout with police following the ambush. The civilian killed in the incident has been identified as Osman Said Jimale, 32, of Minneapolis. Jimale was found with multiple gunshot wounds in Apartment 18 at 2221 Blaisdell Avenue, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.
The deadly sequence of events began around 5:20 p.m. when Minneapolis police responded to a report of a double shooting at an apartment complex in the Whittier neighborhood. Officer Jamal Mitchell, 36, was among the first to arrive, working a mandated overtime shift due to department understaffing. As he approached the scene, he encountered individuals who appeared to be injured. Mitchell exited his vehicle to provide aid, but Mohamed, one of the men he approached, pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times. The attack was captured on Mitchell's body-worn camera, as confirmed by Drew Evans, Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The footage has not been released to the public.
A second police officer, a firefighter, a bystander, and another individual were also injured in the chaotic scene that unfolded in and around the apartment building.
Details of the Incident
According to dispatch audio, officers were first alerted to the situation around 5:20 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots inside the apartment building. Reuben Molina, a resident in the building, said he heard four or five shots from an apartment on the floor below him. Molina and his girlfriend overheard a woman in the apartment tell a 911 dispatcher that two people had been shot in the head, including her boyfriend.
Molina saw two men walk out the back door of the complex and split up in the alleyway, going in opposite directions. They appeared to be "trying to be nonchalant," he said. Molina went outside to get officers to check on the apartment shooting when he began hearing more shots nearby.
Cory Jones, 36, was biking south on La Salle Avenue toward Franklin Avenue at about 5:23 p.m. when he heard the gunshots. "I heard boom-boom-boom, and then I see a cop on the street," Jones said. He dashed to the parking lot across from the Park Nicollet Clinic on Blaisdell Avenue, pulled out his phone, and began recording. Several police officers huddled behind a fire truck parked on Blaisdell facing south.
As Jones approached the group, he saw an officer face down on the west side of the street and a man in plain clothes lying on the east side as pops of gunfire erupted around him — at least 11 shots, according to the audio and video captured on his phone.
Mohamed's Double Shooting and Attempted Escape
Investigators believe that Mustafa Mohamed went to the south Minneapolis apartment with the intent to shoot two people who were known to him.
Mohamed shot and killed Osman Said Jimale and critically injured another individual inside the apartment. After committing the double shooting, he attempted to flee the scene by walking out the backdoor and through an alley.
In his bid to escape, Mohamed tried to take someone's moped at gunpoint. A motorist, who witnessed the attempted hijacking, acted quickly and intervened by striking Mohamed with his vehicle, preventing him from fleeing the scene. The bystanders disrupted Mohamed's escape plan and led to his confrontation with the police.
As Officer Jamal Mitchell arrived solo on the scene, he believed Mohamed was a victim in need of aid. While attempting to provide medical assistance, Mohamed ambushed and shot Officer Mitchell multiple times. The ambush was captured on Mitchell's body-worn camera. Following the ambush, other officers arrived and engaged in a shootout with Mohamed, resulting in his death.
Suspect's Criminal History
Court documents reveal that Mohamed had an extensive criminal history. In 2013, he was indicted for being a felon in possession of ammunition and a firearm. According to the indictment, Mohamed was found in possession of three rounds of 9mm ammunition and a Sig Sauer P229 Elite 9mm firearm. His prior convictions included first-degree burglary in Hennepin County, MN, in 2007; third-degree burglary in Hennepin County, MN, in 2008; and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle in Clay County, MO, in 2009.Mohamed had served prison time for both offenses, but the court records did not say why the warrants were issued.
In a related 2014 case, Mohamed was apprehended after officers responded to a complaint about individuals smoking marijuana in an underground garage. During this incident, Mohamed was found to be in possession of a handgun magazine and a folding knife. A subsequent search revealed a nine-millimetre handgun, which Mohamed was believed to have hidden under a vehicle.
Community and Official Reactions
The Whittier neighborhood, known for its cultural diversity and vibrant community life, was left in a state of shock. Residents were evacuated and returned to find their front doors kicked in during the chaos. Ken Lorence, a resident, described the terrifying sounds of gunfire that he initially mistook for fireworks. "It got louder, and then I saw them drag a guy; police picked up a guy and brought him in. There must have been someone who got shot," he recalled.
Several hundred officers from Minneapolis and other departments gathered outside HCMC to stand vigil for Officer Mitchell. Officers stood saluting as Mitchell's flag-draped casket was loaded into the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's van. Doctors and nurses, many dressed in scrubs, watched from the hospital skyway above, visibly moved by the sombre scene. Fifth Precinct Inspector Christie Nelson was seen wiping her eyes as police formed a procession to the medical examiner's office in Minnetonka.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Governor Tim Walz, and other officials expressed their sorrow and called for patience as the investigation continues. "The city of Minneapolis lost a hero in police officer Jamal Mitchell," Frey said. "This officer gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect and save the lives of others. His life, his
The BCA is leading the investigation, focusing on the connections between the individuals involved and the motive behind the shootings. While it is believed that the victims in the apartment had some level of acquaintance with Mohamed, the exact nature of their relationship remains unclear. Authorities have not conclusively said who shot the people inside the apartment building or a bystander in a vehicle.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Representatives Betty McCollum and Dean Phillips expressed their condolences and called for measures to prevent such tragedies. "We do not have to live this way," Walz said. "The trauma quickly should turn to anger and a commitment that this cannot happen."
The mass shooting has raised concerns about public safety and the risks faced by law enforcement officers. Governor Walz emphasized the need for a commitment to ensuring the safety of public safety officers and the community.
Officer Mitchell, a father and engaged to be married, had been with the department for 18 months and was recognized by the Minneapolis Police Department for his bravery and dedication. His colleagues and community members have begun to set up memorials in his honor.