Prosecutors: No charges against homeowner in fatal shooting of suspected burglar

Josh Skluzacek KSTP

Prosecutors won’t charge a homeowner in connection to a fatal shooting of a suspected burglar last month in south Minneapolis.

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On Monday, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced that based on the available evidence, prosecutors couldn’t disprove a self-defense claim and, therefore, charges won’t be filed.

“While this case is tragic, there is not sufficient proof that the homeowner and/or her son are guilty of a crime,” the attorney’s office said in a statement.

The 53-year-old homeowner told police that 30-year-old Martin Johnson had broken into her garage and said she fired four warning shots to get him to leave, an affidavit states. She told police she shot Johnson when he started walking toward her and her son.

According to the attorney’s office, most of the incident was captured on a Ring surveillance camera. Prosecutors say it showed Johnson jump a six-foot privacy fence, unsuccessfully try to enter the home and then enter a detached garage.

The attorney’s office says the homeowner saw Johnson on the surveillance camera, and when she went to make sure he’d left the property, she saw the garage door slightly open and realized he was still in there. That’s when she reportedly fired warning shots.

The attorney’s office says Johnson then came outside, refused to leave, and walked toward the homeowner and her son. Johnson was shot a single time in the chest and later died.

Police determined Johnson was unarmed.