A Minneapolis man, Carlton Johnson II, 35, killed two of his neighbors in a shooting rampage at the Shoreline Plaza apartment complex on Wednesday before being killed by police. Authorities announced Thursday that Johnson shot and killed Dale Henry Spry, 63, and Muse Abdi Afrah, 61, at the complex where he was facing eviction.
Spry is remembered as a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq and a skilled contractor. His nephew, Kendall Coleman, described Spry as a significant figure in the Native American and Northside Minneapolis communities, known for his smile and generosity. Vicki Parsons, Spry's ex, expressed shock at his death, stating that "Nobody deserves to die like that."
The incident reportedly began during a custody exchange between Johnson and his ex-partner, during which he allegedly shot the mother of his child. She survived the attack and received aid from responding officers. Johnson then entered the apartment complex, wounding two building employees before proceeding to the ninth floor, where his apartment is located. It was there he killed Spry and Afrah.
Police responded to multiple calls reporting gunfire around 4:36 p.m. Wednesday. Upon arrival, officers provided aid to the mother of Johnson's children, who was suffering from a gunshot wound. As officers ascended to the ninth floor, they encountered a "haze" that limited visibility, which authorities believe may have been caused by a fire extinguisher struck by gunfire. Two officers were injured by gunfire, and a third was struck by glass during the confrontation with Johnson.
Police Officer Liban Mohamed Ibrahim ultimately killed Johnson in an exchange of gunfire. The police-involved shooting is under investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Court records indicate Johnson had been facing eviction from the building since March 2025 due to alleged erratic behavior and threats. The filings detail an incident in March where he allegedly assaulted another resident, and by June, he was reportedly seen openly carrying a gun. On June 11, Johnson allegedly entered the management office with a firearm and threatened multiple personnel. That same day, he reportedly told other residents he had obtained a new gun and "would kill someone." He was also seen flashing his gun publicly on the sidewalk days later.
Johnson's lawyer had contested the eviction, arguing that Minnesota state law permits firearm possession by tenants. The attorney claimed Johnson had a license to carry and denied that his client assaulted or threatened anyone.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office had previously reviewed Johnson's conduct. Mary Moriarty, the county attorney, stated that her office had considered screening Johnson for additional measures that could have temporarily stopped him from possessing a firearm, but ultimately decided not to proceed due to insufficient evidence. The office also declined to press charges after an alleged threat and brandishing of a firearm late last month, citing insufficient evidence for a conviction.
Residents reported Johnson lived alone and was experiencing a difficult breakup. One neighbor, Chris Miller, recalled Johnson showing him his handgun and concealed carry permit on several occasions. Another former resident, Derrick Thompson, stated he frequently saw Johnson drinking outside and that the suspect was involved in a child custody dispute and had his car repossessed.
Further court documents from The New York Times detail accusations of harassment from March 2023, where a woman claimed Johnson sent her over 120 text messages, including death threats to her and her family, from multiple phone numbers over four days. Moments before the shooting, another resident recounted Johnson grabbing her and stating he would kill the mother of his child while she witnessed it, before eventually letting her go. "Next thing you know, I come back, we can't get in the building. He did it," the resident said.
