Connect with us

Crime

2 dead after vehicle plows into outside patio at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, Minnesota

One of the victims killed has been identified as Kristina Folkerts.

Published

on

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On Sept. 1, 2024, just after 8 p.m., St. Louis Park police and fire personnel responded to a reported incident at Park Tavern, 3401 Louisiana Ave. S., St. Louis Park, of a vehicle being driven into the outside patio area.

Two people are dead with three injured.

One of the victims killed has been identified as Kristina Folkerts. Her mother, Laura Lee, worked at Park Tavern from the late ’80s until she passed away in 2008.

Kristina had followed in her mother’s footsteps and began serving at Park Tavern.

Surveillance footage shows the male driver entered the Park Tavern parking lot and did not enter Park Tavern.

He attempted to park, then drove into the outside patio at Park Tavern.

Advertisement

The male driver is under arrest for criminal vehicular homicide.

Jail records show Steven Frane Bailey, 56, is being held on criminal vehicular homicide in the St. Louis Park incident where two people died and three were injured when a driver plowed into a crowded patio.

He appears to have a history of DWI.

The Minnesota State Patrol is on scene doing accident reconstruction.

Other assisting agencies include the Hopkins, Minnetonka and Wayzata police departments and the Hennepin County Sheriffโ€™s Office.

The scene remains active and anyone with information is asked to call 952.924.2618.

Advertisement

This is an active and ongoing investigation of the St. Louis Park Police Department.

Additional updates will be provided as more information is available.


Crime

16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia

Published

on

16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University's campus in North Philadelphia 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

PHILADELPHIA โ€” A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple Universityโ€™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 Universityโ€™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:
โ€œThe 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 victimโ€™s family and loved ones.โ€

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.

Advertisement

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 victimโ€™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 individualโ€™s involvement remains unclear.

As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.

Advertisement

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.


Advertisement
Continue Reading