Two Dead, Child Hospitalized in Minneapolis Carjacking Incident
Minneapolis, MN — Two women were killed, and a child was hospitalized following a carjacking pursuit that ended in a crash on Thursday morning.
According to Minneapolis Police, officers were alerted to a carjacking around 8 a.m. near East Lake Street and Fourth Avenue South. Witnesses reported a suspect driving erratically and firing shots as he fled.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Troy Mike Payton, was pursued by police starting at approximately 8:36 a.m. He subsequently collided with a vehicle carrying two 25-year-old women, Marisa Ardys Casebolt and Liberty Borg, who both died at the scene. A child, believed to be 5 or 6 years old, was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive.
Three dogs were also found in the suspect's vehicle; one was euthanized, while the others sustained injuries. A firearm was recovered from the vehicle after the crash, and Payton was arrested on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide.
Emergency crews closed the area between Penn Avenue and Olson Memorial Highway/Highway 55 around 9 a.m. The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that the closure would last until approximately 1 p.m.
This incident is under ongoing investigation by law enforcement. Authorities emphasized the need for stringent monitoring of known offenders and dangerous driving incidents.
Stay with local news outlets for further updates.