Crime
James Ortley charged in Minneapolis mass shooting that left 4 dead, 1 injured
His arrest comes just months after he was briefly detained in February as a suspect in a violent robbery spree in Minneapolis.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police have arrested a suspect in connection with a mass shooting earlier this week that claimed four lives and left one other critically injured.
The arrest was announced Thursday night by Police Chief Brian O’Hara during a press conference.
The suspect, 34-year-old James Ortley, was taken into custody around 3:30 p.m. by the U.S. Marshals Service.
He is currently facing multiple counts of second-degree murder in connection with the shooting, which occurred late Tuesday night near the intersection of Bloomington Avenue South and East 25th Street in the city’s Phillips neighborhood, within Ward 9.
Ortley was also wanted on a federal warrant for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to officials.
His arrest comes just months after he was briefly detained in February as a suspect in a violent robbery spree in Minneapolis.
At that time, he was held for two days before being released without charges.
Tuesday’s mass shooting was the first of six separate shooting incidents reported in a violent 24-hour span across the city that left at least six additional individuals injured.
Investigators are working to determine whether any of these incidents are connected.
Authorities do not believe Tuesday’s shooting was random and are continuing to investigate the possibility that other individuals were involved.
Four victims — two men and one woman — were pronounced dead at the scene.
They have since been identified as:
- Leras Rainey
- Evan Denny, also known as Ramone Day
- Maleice White, also known as MJ White
- Joey Goodwin
One other individual — a 24-year-old woman transported to a local trauma center with life-threatening injuries.
The woman sustained a gunshot wound to the face but was reported to have stable vital signs.
According to police, four of the victims were found inside a vehicle at the scene, while a fifth victim — an adult male — was discovered on the sidewalk nearby.
Chief O’Hara confirmed that while officers were responding to the shooting, they heard additional gunfire in the area, approximately five blocks away.
Although no further victims were found at that secondary location, physical evidence of gunfire was recovered, underscoring ongoing safety concerns in the vicinity.
“This was not a random act of violence,” Chief O’Hara said, noting that early investigative findings indicate the victims were likely targeted and that the incident may be gang-related.
“The city is grieving,” O’Hara continued. “After a relative period of peace — the longest we’ve seen in over five years — that calm has been shattered. There are families suffering tonight. This is an absolutely senseless tragedy.”
He also spoke about the emotional toll on officers and first responders. “Family members were wailing at the scene. That’s always hard — when there is one victim, it’s heartbreaking. When there are multiple victims, it’s devastating.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Christian County, Mo. — Authorities have identified the suspect accused of fatally shooting a deputy with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop as Richard Bird.
At the time the Blue Alert was issued, the suspect had not yet been taken into custody.
According to law enforcement officials, the deputy initiated a traffic stop involving a 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck along State Highway 160 near Highlandville.
During the stop, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding the deputy before fleeing the scene.
The suspect was reported to have traveled southbound on Highway 160 following the shooting.
Authorities described the suspect vehicle as a black 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck equipped with a silver brush guard, black body trim, tinted rear windows, and a three-ball trailer hitch. The vehicle was bearing Missouri license plate 9MG-X36.
A statewide Blue Alert was issued to notify the public and assist in locating the suspect.
Law enforcement officials urged residents not to approach the vehicle or suspect if located, but instead to immediately call 911 and provide detailed information while remaining at a safe distance.
Christian County is situated south of Springfield and north of Branson, an area that sees significant travel due to its proximity to the Ozarks.
Multiple agencies across the region coordinated efforts in response to the alert.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the status of the investigation.
Law enforcement officials expressed their condolences to the deputy’s family, colleagues, and the community as they continue to pursue justice in the case.