Convicted Felon Faces Murder Charges in Deadly Minneapolis Shooting Spree
A 36-year-old man from Bemidji is facing charges in connection with three shootings in south Minneapolis on Sept. 18, leaving two people dead and two more injured.
Joshua Anthony Jones, already a convicted felon and a known gang member, was charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder and other firearms offenses following the violent incidents, according to complaints filed in Hennepin County.
The first shooting occurred at 4:40 a.m. on the 2500 block of 17th Avenue South. Officers located two men in alley with gunshot wounds. One man was pronounced deceased at the scene while the second victim was transported by ambulance to Hennepin Healthcare. Minneapolis police say Jones is suspected in this shooting but has not been charged yet.
Minneapolis police say the next shooting they were alerted to occurred around 4:21 p.m., where officers discovered an adult male victim lying in an alley near the 2500 block of Bloomington Avenue South. The victim had been shot in the head and was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers recovered a single 9mm shell casing near the victim's body and an autopsy later confirmed the man had died from the gunshot wound. Investigators located surveillance footage from a nearby camera that showed a man approaching the victim and pulling a handgun. The victim then put up his hands, bent his knees and cowered down to the ground before Jones was seen shooting the victim in the head at close range. Jones was then seen walking away from the scene.
For this attack, Jones is charged with second degree murder and faces 40 years in prison. He is also charged with possession of a firearm after being convicted of a crime of violence.
Just a few hours later, officers responded to another shooting just before 7:20 p.m. near 24th Street and 18th Avenue South. The victim, who survived the attack, told police that Jones had confronted him while he was fixing his bike. Jones and the victim reportedly knew each other from previous interactions including recent drug deals. Jones allegedly approached the victim, brandished a firearm and fired several shots at him. The victim tried to flee but was struck in the shoulder by one of the bullets. He was later transported to the hospital for treatment. Officers found four 9mm shell casings at the scene which were later determined to have been fired from the same firearm used in the earlier fatal shooting.
Jones is charged with attempted second degree murder for this shooting and faces up to 20 years in prison. He faces a second charge of possession of a firearm after being convicted of a crime of violence as well.
Jones, who has a lengthy criminal history including multiple convictions for violent crimes, was taken into custody later that evening after officers spotted him walking in the area. Despite orders to stop, Jones refused to comply and was arrested at gunpoint. At the time of his arrest, Jones was also wanted in connection with a March 2024 assault case and a series of motor vehicle thefts earlier this year.
He remains in custody at the Hennepin County Jail with bail set at $1.5 million. Jones will make a court appearance Monday afternoon.
No motives have been determined and the investigations remain ongoing. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit tips anonymously online at www.CrimeStoppersMN.org. A reward may be offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
