Man charged in fatal Edina shooting, 3 others to be released from custody
One man faces a murder charge in connection with Wednesday's deadly shooting at a housing complex in Edina, Minnesota, while three others are set to be released from custody Friday due to a lack of evidence, according to officials.
The shooting happened around 12:30 p.m. near West 66th Street and York Avenue, just north of Southdale Center mall. Police say one person — identified Friday by the county attorney's office as John Stroud — was found at the scene suffering from a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead. Police say the suspects ran from the scene before officers arrived.
Edina Police Chief Todd Milburn called the search "extensive," as law enforcement deployed drones and a helicopter flew overhead. SWAT teams staged in the area for several hours.
Three men were booked into Hennepin County Jail on Wednesday evening on suspicion of murder: two Edina men, ages 21 and 20, and a 22-year-old St. Paul man. On Thursday afternoon, police announced the fourth arrest, adding they "believe they have arrested all those involved in the incident."
But late Friday morning, Daniel Borgertpoepping, communication director for the county attorney's office, announced that while the "suspected shooter" was still in custody, the three other suspects "will be released."
"Both our office and Edina Police are in agreement that there is not evidence at this time to support charges against the three individuals who were originally arrested," Borgertpoepping said. "This is a complex matter and the investigation will continue."
The fourth man, 22-year-old Elevoun Wren of Edina, is charged with second-degree murder, according to court documents.
Surveillance video showed Wren and Stroud "get into a physical altercation," the criminal complaint states.
"The two then disappear behind a pole and [Stroud] falls to the ground to the right of the pole," the complaint states. "[Wren] can then be seen standing over [Stroud] with his right arm outstretched ... and something in his right hand."
Wren and three others then ran from the scene, investigators said. Subsequent surveillance video showed him entering and later leaving his apartment. Police searched his apartment and found a pistol, three magazines and a magazine extender, the complaint states.
"This shouldn't have happened"
Several nearby businesses and clinics temporarily went into lockdown due to the shooting, including the mall and M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital.
"Very unsafe. This shouldn't have happened," said Izakk, who lives in the building police surrounded.
Milburn described the complex as transitional, affordable housing, adding its been around for about five years.
"It's usually a quiet place. It has some good people, there are some troublesome people, obviously everywhere has that, but we're usually just all trying to do what we need to do to live life, get jobs and have futures," Izaak said.
Police are urging anyone with surveillance footage of the shooting to email them at police@edinamn.gov.
