Teens Charged with Shooting at Sheriff’s Deputy in Brooklyn Center
Charges were filed Wednesday against two teens accused of firing at least two-dozen shots at a Hennepin County sheriff’s deputy during a chase that started in Brooklyn Center.
Rashad Collins, 18, of Bloomington, and Damon Davenport, 18, of Coon Rapids, are each charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
The incident happened on Sept. 15 following a burglary report at about 2:30 a.m. in Brooklyn Center, also involving the two suspects, the charges show.
The criminal complaint says multiple shots were fired at the deputy on two occasions. In one instance, a bullet struck the windshield of the deputy’s marked squad car, sending glass debris into the squad, as the deputy tried to arrest the suspects on eastbound I-94.
Crime lab investigators determined that at least 24 rounds were fired at the deputy based on recovered shell casings. Evidence of gunshots fired at the deputy was also located in a residential area as the pursuit exited Brooklyn Center and into north Minneapolis, the complaint detailed.
‘Sound of multiple gunshots’
According to the criminal complaint:
Police initially responded to a report of a burglary in progress inside an apartment building at 57th and Emerson avenues north in Brooklyn Center. Officers learned that a white Ford Fusion was leaving the scene and a Hennepin County sheriff’s deputy responded to assist Brooklyn Center police. The deputy spotted the white car traveling at a high rate of speed and going through multiple stop signs. He then activated his lights and sirens and began pursuit. Soon after, the deputy “heard the sound of multiple gunshots.”
The deputy continued chase with the suspect vehicle entering a ramp to head east on I-94. In the area near I-94 and Lowry Avenue, the deputy was fired upon again, causing the deputy to discontinue the pursuit. In addition to the bullet that struck the deputy’s windshield, a bullet was also recovered under the deputy’s driver seat. Investigators determined two weapons were used to fire at the deputy based on the discharged cartridge casings recovered.
The investigation continued into the night and the next day, when police found the white Ford Fusion abandoned about a mile from Minneapolis South High School. A discharged casing connected to the shooting was found inside the vehicle, the complaint said. DNA evidence collected from the steering wheel determined that Davenport had been in the vehicle.
Police arrested Davenport on Sept. 16. Officers arrested Collins on Sept. 22 when they located him at his girlfriend’s apartment near South High School. Evidence of the burglary was recovered at the apartment. A search warrant executed at two recording studios on Prior Avenue in St. Paul also found five firearms, including a gun that matched one of the firearms used to shoot at the deputy, the complaint said.
The complaint also identified a third suspect connected to the burglary, but investigators determined he was not in the vehicle at the time of the deputy shooting.
Court records show Davenport and Collins were scheduled to make initial court appearances Thursday afternoon. A judge ordered both suspects held on $500,000 bail.
