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).
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.