Two days after a fatal shooting prompted multiple lockdowns at and near Southdale Center in Edina, a suspect has been charged.
On Friday, Elevoun Quinnell Wren, 22, was charged with second-degree intentional murder.
According to the criminal complaint, at 12:24 p.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to a shooting on the 3300 block of 66th Street West. Police found one man shot multiple times in the chest, who was pronounced dead on scene.
Surveillance footage showed the victim, John Stroud, talking to a man in a gray hooded sweatshirt, later identified as Wren, who was joined by three other men.
Court documents say that Wren and Stroud got into a fight, and at one point, video showed them going behind a pole and Stroud then fell to the ground. Wren then stood over Stroud, holding something in his right hand, while the three men stood to the left of the pole, the complaint notes.
Wren and the other three men then reportedly ran away from the scene.
According to court records, more surveillance video showed Wren going into an apartment after the shooting and then leaving in a red and black hooded sweatshirt.
A search warrant at Wren’s apartment resulted in a pistol being found underneath a gray hooded sweatshirt, along with three magazines and a magazine extender.
Wren was taken into custody on Thursday, and his first court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
“John was a beloved son and brother, and his murder is absolutely devastating. He should be with his family,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “We are grateful to the Edina Police for their excellent investigative work and collaboration with our office to ensure that our community will be protected from further harm by Mr. Wren.”
In an earlier update on Friday, the first three suspects arrested were released without charges, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. Investigators added that evidence doesn’t support charges against the three men initially arrested by officers.
“This is a complex matter and the investigation will continue. Those three individuals will be released from custody today,” Hennepin County Attorney’s Office spokesperson Daniel Borgertpoepping said.
Police announced a fourth arrest on Thursday. Charges also haven’t yet been filed against that person.
Backstory
Edina police responded to a shooting near York Avenue South and West 66th Street at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday and found Stroud suffering from a gunshot wound. He died at the scene.
As a result, Southdale Center, M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital and several other nearby buildings were temporarily placed on lockdown.
A GoFundMe for John Stroud, 22, had raised over $1,700 as of Friday morning.
Courtesy of KTSP
