On January 28, 2026, at about 2018 hours, a trooper with the Minnesota State Patrol responded to a gun- pointing incident near 494 and 12th Avenue in Bloomington. The caller reported that the suspect also flashed a law enforcement-style badge. The 911 caller was driving a gray Honda, and the suspect was driving a white Hyundai. The trooper located the vehicles. The Honda pulled over and the Hyundai pulled in front of the trooper’s squad. The driver of the Hyundai, Ron Javaar Tolbert, [DOB REDACTED], told the trooper that he followed the Honda because it attempted to run him off the road.
Tolbert admitted to having a handgun in his possession. He stated that he has a permit to carry. The trooper removed Tolbert’s 9mm handgun which was in a shoulder holster worn by Tolbert. Tolbert also turned over a replica law enforcement badge that said, “Special Police.” He said that he thought it was a good idea as a permit holder to carry that badge to “deescalate” situations. He said he works in security. The driver of the Honda, SUK, [DOB REDACTED], said that he was westbound on 94 heading to southbound 35E when the white Hyundai flashed high beams at him from behind.
The Hyundai passed him on the left and pulled alongside his vehicle. He said the driver of the Hyundai pointed a pistol at him after it pulling along side his vehicle. SUK immediately called 911. The driver of the Hyundai continued to point his firearm at him for approximately a minute. The other driver then displayed a badge toward SUK. He said the gun pointing started on 35 E in the area between W 7th Street and the Mississippi River Bridge. In a post-Miranda interview, Tolbert said that the driver of the Honda brake checked him and repeatedly moved into his lane of travel.
Tolbert admitted that he did not call 911. He denied that he removed or displayed his handgun.
