Shanay Ayanna Johnson

On March 29, 2026, at approximately 10:01 am, officers were dispatched to a residence in West St. Paul, Dakota County, on a disturbance. Witness reported hearing a man and a woman yelling, and the woman was repeatedly going back and forth between the car and a house. A second call came in where Victim 1 reported that SHANAY AYANNA JOHNSON [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein, had broken into his house and sprayed him with bear mace. Victim 1 and Defendant have a child together. Victim 1 reported Defendant left the residence and provided a description of her vehicle.

Officers arrived and found a juvenile male, Victim 2, looking out the front window of the house. Victim 2 had his eye closed and mucus running from his nose. Victim 2 opened the door and allowed officers inside. The house smelled strongly of chemical irritant and Victim 1 was found in the kitchen pouring milk on his face. Officers requested EMS respond to treat the victims. Both victims reported being sprayed with mace by Defendant. Victim 2 reported Defendant entered the residence through a window and immediately maced them.

Victim 1 said Defendant left the room and returned five or six times to spray him with mace. While macing Victim 1, Defendant said, “you dirty a** b**ch; f**king my cousin.” Victim 1 also reported being stabbed several times by Defendant. Victim 1 had cuts on the left side of his neck, elbows, throat, rib cage, and back. Defendant used a large knife from the kitchen to stab him. Victim 1 reported Defendant had been at the residence the day before and stole his phone while he was sleeping and slashed his tires.

Officers observed multiple spots throughout the house of pooled liquid that was consistent with bear mace. Officers also observed the mesh on the window Defendant entered through was cut from the outside and there was a cargo carrier positioned underneath. Officers placed a pick up and hold alert for Defendant. Witness stated to officers that they initially called because of all the screaming and observed Defendant repeatedly going between the residence and a car. Witness also observed a young girl running around outside the house.

Witness also saw Defendant stabbing at the victims with a knife as they tried to push her out and close the door to the house. Defendant then ran to her car and went back to the yard and stabbed items in the yard with the knife. 2 19HA-CR-26-456 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 3/31/2026 On March 30, 2026, Defendant was stopped by officers in Coon Rapids and taken into custody. A large knife was observed in plain sight behind the passenger seat. Defendant’s vehicle was towed and searched pursuant to a search warrant.

In addition to the knife, officers recovered a can of bear spray.