More information has emerged after a man killed two relatives and was fatally shot by police, ending a chain of events that began with his jail release earlier the same day.
Eddie Darren Duncan, 23, of Minneapolis, was released from the Hennepin County Jail shortly after noon Monday, Feb. 23, after posting $35,000 bail in a pending felony case involving fleeing police and possession of a machine-gun conversion device.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said prosecutors argued Duncan posed a public safety risk before bail was set at $70,000 or $35,000 with conditions. In a statement, the office said the amounts were “higher than we would typically request in this scenario,” adding that the judge set bail at that level.
The charges stem from a May 17, 2025, incident in Robbinsdale in which investigators say Duncan fled a traffic stop at speeds reaching 70 to 90 mph before crashing and running from the vehicle. Officers recovered a Glock handgun equipped with an extended magazine loaded with 29 rounds and an auto sear switch capable of continuous fire. The criminal complaint states the car was registered to Duncan, and a cellphone found inside contained a photograph of him. Charges were filed Jan. 30 in that case.
Duncan was arrested Feb. 15 on the warrant by Minneapolis police. While held in jail, he refused to attend scheduled court appearances on Feb. 17, Feb. 18 and Feb. 19. A judge issued an order allowing deputies to use reasonable force to bring him to court. On Feb. 20, the court ordered a Rule 20 psychological competency evaluation to determine whether he was able to participate in proceedings.
During that same appearance, a judge set bail and conditions of release. Those conditions prohibited Duncan from possessing firearms, required him to obey all laws, attend court and probation appointments and remain in Minnesota without permission. Bond paperwork shows the $35,000 non-cash bond was posted Feb. 23, allowing his release at approximately 12:40 p.m.
Under standard bail bond practices in Minnesota, defendants typically pay a non-refundable premium of about 10 percent of the bond amount, meaning the cost associated with Duncan’s release would have been about $3,500. Bail bond agencies may allow co-signers, require collateral or offer payment plans depending on financial circumstances. Court records do not indicate who paid the premium or how the bond was secured.
Authorities say the violence that followed unfolded within hours.
PREVIOUSLY: 2 Dead After Suspect Opens Fire Inside North Minneapolis Home
Police were called around 3:30 p.m. to a home in north Minneapolis in the 4200 block of Irving Avenue North, where two people — Duncan’s cousins, ages 14 and 23 — were found suffering from gunshot wounds inside the residence. Both were pronounced dead. Family members, including children and other relatives, were reported to have been inside the home at the time.
Investigators say Duncan left the scene after the shootings. Authorities have not said where the gun used in the shootings came from.
Minutes later, Brooklyn Center officers were dispatched around 3:55 p.m. to reports of a man waving a handgun near businesses in the 5500 block of Brooklyn Boulevard. Officers encountered an armed man and an exchange of gunfire followed. Duncan was struck and later pronounced dead. No officers were injured.
PREVIOUSLY: Double Homicide Suspect Shot by Police in Brooklyn Center
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the officer-involved shooting, which is standard procedure.
Court records show Duncan had prior arrests involving assault, narcotics and weapons offenses, and investigators previously described him as posing a threat to public safety when requesting the original warrant in the fleeing and weapons case.
Authorities have not said what led to the shootings inside the home, and investigators continue working to determine the circumstances surrounding both the Minneapolis killings and the officer-involved shooting that followed later that afternoon.
