Arrest made in Minneapolis shooting that left 3 dead and was followed by 2 more killings

A 34-year-old man was arrested Thursday on allegations that he was a perpetrator in a shooting in Minneapolis shortly before midnight Tuesday that left three people dead and two wounded.

The shooting was the first of three on the city's South Side within 20 hours that left a total of five people dead.

During a media briefing late Thursday afternoon, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said James Duane Ortley, recently of Minneapolis, is believed to be responsible for the shooting, but the chief added that others may have been involved. O'Hara said arrests have yet to be made in the two other fatal shootings that quickly followed.

The U.S. Marshals Service said Ortley was arrested about 3:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of S. 4th Street on a warrant alleging multiple counts of second-degree murder. There is also a federal warrant for his arrest tied to a felon in possession a gun allegation.

"This is a significant step forward in what has been an intense and fast-moving investigation into the most violent incident the city has suffered this year," O'Hara said.

Murder charges filed against Ortley in Hennepin County District Court remained under seal and out of public view as of late Thursday afternoon. Ortley's criminal history in Minnesota includes one conviction each for first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, illegal weapons possession and fleeing police.

Earlier Thursday, police said they were joining with other law enforcement agencies and activating "every available resource" toward finding those responsible for the outburst of shootings.

The last of the killings from three shooting incidents occurred about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday on 15th Avenue S. near E. Lake Street, where officers found a man in his 50s with critical gunshot wounds. Emergency medical responders took him to HCMC, where he died, police said.

O'Hara said Thursday there is "no reason to suspect" that the earlier two fatal shootings were connected to the 15th Avenue S. shooting.

Some if not all of the victims are Native American. In response, community members staged a prayer and drum circle Thursday at Cedar Field Park, a few blocks east of where the first of the deadly shootings occurred.

People there said shock and sadness have spread throughout the Native American community. The prayer circle served as an important way to help the community start to heal and be together, said Mike Forcia, an activist and chairman of the American Indian Movement.

"There are so many people grieving and horrified with what's been going on," Forcia said.

In a statement, Minnesota's 11 tribal nations called for unity and peace following the shootings.

"We cannot allow harm to continue to deepen through retaliation or further conflict," the statement said. "Now is the time for unity, for reflection, and for immediate collective action."

A police statement Thursday said Frey directed the city's Office of Community Safety and the Minneapolis Police Department to "deploy every available resource to bring the perpetrators to justice and support the community."

The statement noted that city and police officials are coordinating with other local law enforcement and with state and federal agencies in the effort.

Also, additional patrols and other resources have been added in the Phillips neighborhood, where many Native Americans live, "and efforts are underway to identify potential community needs for trauma response that the city could support," the statement continued.

"The level of violence this city has experienced in less than 24 hours is infuriating," O'Hara said in a statement. "Each individual act causes immense grief and tears families apart.

"We've met with community leaders to hear their concerns and identify urgent, collaborative strategies for a strong community and law enforcement response. That work will continue in the days ahead. We must confront this head-on — and together."

One of the prayer circle attendees, Michelle White, said she had met the man killed midday Wednesday on Cedar Avenue S. through a group called Sobriety Warriors.

"I cried. I cried because he wanted better," said White, a member of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. "He wanted to do better. He was going to treatment, getting his life right."

O'Hara and Frey attended the drum circle Thursday. After they had left, about a hundred people remained and chatted, some hugging each other.

As the pursuit for suspects continued Thursday, police said their investigators trying to determine whether the shootings are related.

For now, the police statement said, "Initial information suggests none of the shootings appears to be random."

The first of the three fatal shootings occurred Tuesday shortly before midnight, when ShotSpotter activations drew officers to an alley near the intersection of Bloomington Avenue S. and E. 25th Street in the Midtown Phillips neighborhood.

Three of the victims — a teenager, a man and a woman — were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others, a man and a woman, were taken to a hospital with injuries. The man, O'Hara said, was in "grave" condition.

Family members have identified one of the people killed as 17-year-old Joseph Goodwin. Also shot were 20-year-old twins Maleice and Merelle White. Maleice has so far survived. Merelle did not, their family said.

Deadly gunfire rang out again around 1 p.m. Wednesday in the 2100 block of Cedar Avenue S. O'Hara said a man in his 30s was shot and pronounced dead at the scene. A bullet entered a nearby SUV and narrowly missed an infant and toddler strapped in child seats, he noted.

Frey said community members suspect this shooting was in retaliation for the one around midnight.

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa disclosed that this gunfire occurred outside the Mino Bimaadiziwin apartment building/Red Lake Nation Embassy.

A statement from the band's headquarters said police have ensured they "will have a heavy presence in and around" the apartments and the embassy "for the foreseeable future."

Police are asking anyone with information about any of these shootings to policetips@minneapolismn.gov or leave a voicemail at 612-673-5845. To remain anonymous, contact CrimeStoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit CrimeStoppersMN.org. Tips that lead to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.