MINNEAPOLIS — Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty filed additional charges Monday against a man accused of killing two people in separate shootings earlier this month.
A statement from Moriarty's office said prosecutors charged 36-year-old Joshua Jones with three additional counts, adding one of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder to their initial charging decision. In total, Jones faces two and three counts of each, respectively, as well as three counts of illegal firearms possession.
Monday's announcement came after further investigation into the Sept. 18 shootings, in which the attorney's office accused Jones of shooting four individuals and attempting to shoot another in at least three separate attacks near encampments for the unhoused. Minneapolis police said Jones was arrested a short time after a man was shot in the south Minneapolis Phillips neighborhood. Investigators said another deadly shooting had occurred just blocks away about 12 hours earlier.
“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."
According to the timeline of events provided by Moriarty's office, prosecutors claim Jones' first alleged shooting happened at an encampment on the 2500 block of 17th Avenue South around 4:39 a.m. The county attorney said Jones shot two men, one of whom died at the scene, while the other was taken to the hospital. Jones allegedly shot at a third person but missed.
At 4:21 p.m., prosecutors said Jones was seen on surveillance video on the 2500 block of Bloomington Avenue walking up to a man in an alley before shooting and killing him.
The timeline goes on to say Jones allegedly approached a fifth victim around 7:20 p.m. at 24th Street and 18th Avenue South, shooting at him and missing. Prosecutors said Jones chased after the man when he fled, eventually shooting him in the shoulder.
Authorities arrested Jones about 10 minutes after the last known shooting in the area of the third crime scene.
At the time of his arrest, the attorney's office said law enforcement already had a warrant for Jones' arrest, stemming from another hooting in March.
Jones is currently in custody at the Hennepin County Jail. His next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24.
