VIDEO: Shots Fired at Saint Paul Officer During Pursuit

Jan 14

Saint Paul police say a suspect fired multiple gunshots at an officer during a pursuit late Monday before being apprehended following a crash.

The incident began around 11 p.m. Jan. 13 when an officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation near Central Avenue and Chatsworth Street.

*Officers with the suspect vehicle near Fuller Ave. & Victoria St. on Monday, Jan 13, 2025.* ***MN CRIME PHOTO***

The driver, identified as Samuel Cal Flowers, 27, fled, prompting another officer to locate and follow the vehicle near Dale Street and Central Avenue.

YouTube: Initial Video of the Pursuit

According to police, Flowers briefly stopped near Ravoux Street and Fuller Avenue but drove away as the officer waited for backup. The officer continued to follow the vehicle westbound on St. Anthony Avenue at Western Street. At that point, Flowers began firing at the pursuing officer. The officer reported seeing multiple muzzle flashes and observed the rear window of the vehicle shatter. Despite the gunfire, the officer did not return fire.

The chase ended when Flowers crashed into a parked car on the 800 block of Fuller Avenue. Flowers attempted to walk away from the scene but was quickly apprehended by officers. A stolen AR-15-style rifle with armor piercing rounds was recovered from his vehicle.

Flowers was also reported to have suspected fentanyl and cocaine in his possession.

Flowers was taken to Regions Hospital for evaluation following the crash. After being cleared, he was booked into the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center on charges of attempted murder, second-degree assault, fleeing police in a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by an ineligible person, and possession of a stolen firearm.

Officers later revisited the area where the shots were fired to determine if any homes were damaged or if anyone had been injured. Police confirmed that no structures were hit and no injuries were reported. Anyone with information about the shooting or who may have seen the events leading up to the pursuit is asked to contact Saint Paul Police at (651) 291-1111.

UPDATE | 12 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14

Flowers was on intensive supervised release and has a history of violent criminal activity.

In 2017, Flowers was convicted of first-degree assault and sentenced to 11 years in prison for shooting a man multiple times in Oct. 2016, during a dispute involving marijuana and a firearm. As part of a plea agreement, charges of attempted second-degree murder were dismissed.

Flowers’ criminal record also includes an extended juvenile sentence for a drive-by shooting on Aug. 20, 2015, carried out to benefit a gang. In that case, six counts of second-degree assault were dismissed and he received a 36-month adult sentence after the violation in Oct. 2016. Both sentences ran concurrently. Released from prison in March, Flowers had been out for only a few months before this latest incident.

In addition, Saint Paul Police Chief Axel Henry said in a press release that Flowers was out on bail after being charged with a weapons violation shortly after being released from prison.

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