Three men arrested after a fatal shooting in Edina on Wednesday are being released from custody due to a lack of evidence, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office. A suspected shooter is still in custody but has not yet been charged.
The shooting on the 3300 block of West 66th Street near Southdale Mall on Wednesday afternoon took the life of 22-year-old John Stroud. Edina police Chief Todd Milburn said officers provided medical assistance, but Stroud died at the scene.
Milburn said suspects fled the scene of the shooting. Three people were initially arrested on Wednesday afternoon and another was arrested on Thursday, according to Edina police.
The shooting suspect’s case will be prioritized once police complete their investigation, said Hennepin County Attorney’s Office spokesperson Daniel Borgertpoepping.
“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 in a statement. “This is a complex matter and the investigation will continue.”
Stroud’s killing spurred a large police presence in the area with some businesses, including Southdale Mall, going into temporary lockdown as police sought suspects. The shooting occurred at an apartment owned by Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative that provides housing for young people who have experienced homelessness.
A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.
A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.
Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.
A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.
Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.
“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file
A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.
The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.
There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.
According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.
Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.
He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.
Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.
Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.
He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.
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