MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis man is facing multiple felony charges as authorities accuse him of crashing a car as his girlfriend tried to break up with him, and then shooting at law enforcement when they arrived on the scene.
The incident happened Saturday night on I-94 East. The interstate was closed between Dowling Avenue North and West Broadway for several hours.
According to the criminal complaint, Eddie James Freeman, 23, was in the passenger seat when his girlfriend told him their relationship was over as they drove on I-94. She told investigators Freeman grabbed the steering wheel, causing the car to crash. She heard multiple gunshots, and authorities saw bullet holes in the driver's side door near where she had been sitting.
A trooper heading to the scene saw a person who matched the description of Freeman, the criminal complaint states. The troopers with their squad lights and sirens activated pointed their spotlight on Freeman, who then shot toward the trooper, but did not hit them. More officers surrounded Freeman, and court documents say he was seen by multiple officers tossing a handgun before being taken into custody.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Tuesday Minnesota State Patrol trooper Mark Vande Steeg fired his gun during the incident and is now on standard critical incident leave. Officials said Freeman was not hit.
