Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Adds Charges Against Joshua Jones in Sept. 18 Shootings (09/30/24)

Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Adds Charges Against Joshua Jones in Sept. 18 Shootings
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office today filed additional charges against Joshua Anthony Jones, 36, who shot four people and tried to shoot a fifth over a single day in the Phillips neighborhood of south Minneapolis on Sept. 18, 2024. After further investigation, the office has added an additional count of second-degree murder and two additional counts of second-degree attempted murder. In total, he now faces two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of attempted second-degree murder, and three counts of illegal firearms possession for the shootings on Sept. 18. He carried out the three attacks near homeless encampments.
“These attacks were horrific and have left gaping holes in the lives of the loved ones who lost people for whom they cared deeply,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “We promise to do everything we can to hold Mr. Jones accountable and provide those who are hurting with any support they need during the grieving process. “We also want to stress to our unhoused community living in encampments that we know they are afraid given the proximity of these attacks,” Moriarty continued. “From our investigation, it does not appear that Mr. Jones was targeting the unhoused community.”
The following is a timeline of Mr. Jones’ actions on Sept. 18, 2024, from multiple criminal complaints: • 4:39 a.m. 2500 Block of 17th Avenue South o Mr. Jones walked into an alley. He shot Roland Scott Littleowl and another man in the head. Mr. Littleowl died at the scene, and the second victim was taken to the hospital. Mr. Jones shot at a third man but missed.
• 4:21 p.m. 2500 block of Bloomington Avenue in Minneapolis o Surveillance video shows Mr. Jones walking up to Robert Brown in an alley and shooting him. Mr. Brown died at the scene.
• 7:19 p.m. 24th Street and 18th Avenue South in Minneapolis o Mr. Jones approached a fifth victim, shot at him, and missed. The victim fled, and Jones chased him and kept shooting, hitting him in the shoulder.
• 7:31 p.m. - Officers located Mr. Jones in the area of the third crime scene and arrested him.
In addition to the charges stemming from the shootings on Sept. 18, Mr. Jones also faces one count of second-degree assault for a shooting that occurred on March 18, 2024, near a light rail station in south Minneapolis. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office filed this case on July 3 after DNA evidence came back tying Mr. Jones to the gun that was used in that shooting, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. This warrant was still active when Mr. Jones was arrested on September 18. Jones is currently in custody. His next hearing date is scheduled for Oct. 24, 2024.
*NOTE: The HCAO is not sharing the names of victims who survived to protect their privacy and safety.
www.Hennepin Attorney.org