Who was Charlie Johnson? St Thomas student killed in Minneapolis shooting 15 hours before his graduation
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Two people were killed and eight more were injured, one critically, in a shooting in downtown Minneapolis early on Saturday, May 22. Now, the latest report reveals that one of the deceased was supposed to graduate from the University of St Thomas, Minnesota, later that day.
Minneapolis police say a 23-year-old Bloomington man has been booked into the Hennepin County Jail in connection with the shooting. Police also said one of the two people killed was one of the suspected shooters. Just before 2 am on Saturday, May 22, police say two people standing in a crowd outside a nightclub on the 300 block of 1st Avenue North in downtown Minneapolis began to argue. They pulled out guns and began to shoot. Officers found several people laying on the ground with gunshot wounds.
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Who was Charlie Johnson?
The university stated that Charlie Johnson, a mechanical engineering student, was supposed to collect his degree from the college later that day. The University issued a statement saying: "The University of St. Thomas community is mourning after learning that senior Charlie Johnson, a mechanical engineering major, passed away early this morning. Charlie was a victim in the shooting that occurred this morning in Minneapolis." Further details on his death are expected to come from the Minneapolis Police Department, who are investigating.
“Our community is shocked and saddened by the news of Charlie’s death. We grieve with his family and friends and pray for their comfort. On a day he and his family should have been celebrating his graduation from our School of Engineering, we are devastated by this loss,” said President Julie Sullivan. "Campus Ministry and President Sullivan have been in contact with Charlie’s family and St. Thomas joins his loved ones in grieving his loss. Charlie has been remembered at all three commencement ceremonies today with his name read and an empty chair placed with a cap and gown. A member of his family accepted his diploma on his behalf," as revealed in the statement.
Johnson was honored at May 22’s commencement ceremonies, the school said and a family member accepted his diploma on his behalf.
Sharing the video of Johnson's sister, Camille Johnson, who arrived at the graduation ceremony, Journalist Chris Harapsky tweeted: "With a cap and gown on an empty chair, a family member accepts the diploma for Charlie Johnson, a University of St. Thomas senior killed by gunfire in Minneapolis 15 hours before his graduation."
With a cap and gown on an empty chair, a family member accepts the diploma for Charlie Johnson, a University of St. Thomas senior killed by gunfire in Minneapolis 15 hours before his graduation. pic.twitter.com/UE5EbqD6VN
— Chris Hrapsky (@ChrisHrapsky) May 23, 2021
Five men and five women were shot, the police department said in a series of tweets. Two of the men died and another man was taken to hospital in a critical condition, police said. The other seven had injuries not considered to be life-threatening.
“As we start pulling more and more video from downtown from the city cameras, from the pole cameras that are out, we’ll be able to identify who the shooters are,” John Elder, Director of the Office of Police Information stated. He added that seven homicide investigators have been called to work on the case and asked people to stay out of the downtown area.
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).