Man Shot by Saint Paul Police Linked to 2 Minneapolis Shootings
The scene of an officer-involved shooting in Saint Paul on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. MN CRIME PHOTO
The scene of an officer-involved shooting in Saint Paul on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. MN CRIME PHOTO
The man suspected of carrying out two shootings—killing two men and injuring two others in south Minneapolis—is hospitalized after being shot by Saint Paul officers Monday night.
At around 7:45 p.m. Monday, Saint Paul police responded to reports of gunfire and two people arguing near the 400 block of Pierce Street.
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Officers saw Earl Bennett, 40, walking along Snelling Avenue toward University Avenue, holding a gun to his head. Despite commands from officers, Bennett refused to drop the weapon. He walked through traffic lanes and stopped on the light rail tracks.
Police initially deployed less-lethal rounds in an attempt to disarm Bennett, but he then pointed the handgun at officers. In response, multiple officers fired their service weapons, striking Bennett. He fell to the ground and dropped his gun. Officers rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived and transported him to Regions Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition.
PREVIOUSLY: Man Shot by Police Was Wanted for Deadly Encampment Shooting
Officers recovered a SIG Sauer 9mm handgun from the scene. Authorities confirmed the gun was not loaded, lacking both a magazine and a chambered round. Surveillance footage shows Bennett pointing the firearm in the direction of officers before they discharged their weapons.
Authorities identified Bennett through fingerprints. Bennett has eight prior felony convictions including five counts of first-degree aggravated robbery, attempted escape, receiving stolen property and fleeing police in a motor vehicle. Due to these convictions, he’s prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
The SIG Sauer handgun found in Bennett’s possession was linked to casings recovered from a recent Minneapolis homicide in which Bennett is a suspect, court documents say.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation into the Monday officer-involved shooting. As standard procedure, the Saint Paul officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Authorities confirmed that Bennett is wanted in connection to two shootings in Minneapolis. One occurred at a homeless encampment along the 4400 block of Snelling Avenue on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of two men and leaving a woman critically injured. Officers from the Third Precinct responded around 2:21 p.m. but were unable to save the two men. The woman remains hospitalized in critical condition.
PREVIOUSLY: 2 Dead, 1 Critical After Minneapolis Encampment Shooting
The second incident occurred on Monday evening around 5:15 p.m. in the 3500 block of Columbus Avenue, where police found a man with life-threatening gunshot wounds. That victim was transported to Hennepin Healthcare for treatment. Officers cleared the residence but found no additional victims nor the suspect inside.
Bennett has been charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder in the Monday shooting. According to a criminal complaint, it happened inside a sober living facility, with witnesses telling officers that Bennett had returned to the residence and was obviously intoxicated. Staff told Bennett he would have to take a drug test, at which point Bennett became visibly upset, closing window shades and threatening multiple people before brandishing a gun and shooting the victim in the neck. The documents say Bennett ran from the Columbus Avenue shooting scene and was later identified after he was shot by Saint Paul officers later that night.
Police are continuing to investigate possible connections between the recent shootings at other homeless encampments in Minneapolis. Bennett remains in custody at Regions Hospital. He was initially charged Tuesday with ineligible possession of a firearm and second-degree assault, though more charges are expected.
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