At around 10:00 PM on March 2, 2026, officers responded to Dave’s Exhaust and Auto Services at [ADDRESS REDACTED], St. Paul, Ramsey County on a man who had threatened an employee with a hammer. Officers spoke to TP [DOB REDACTED] who said a customer, TRAVON JAMAL FIFER [DOB REDACTED], had work done on his 2015 Chevrolet Silverado bearing Minnesota license plates GUB445. TP said they fixed the issues Fifer had paid them to fix, but the truck had other serious issues that would cause it to break down if Fifer chose to drive it.
Fifer got very upset and asked for his money back. TP told Fifer he hadn’t purchased warranty on the work, so Fifer wouldn’t get any money returned. A verbal altercation ensued, and Fifer threatened to shoot TP in the head. TP screamed at Fifer not to threaten him and to leave the shop. Fifer walked away from TP towards equipment in the shop. Fifer grabbed a large brass hammer, raised it above his head, and charged TP. A coworker stepped in and intercepted Fifer pinning him against some equipment.
TP ran over and disarmed Fifer. Fifer left still threatening the employees with retaliation. A man in the lobby told police he heard a Black man threaten TP by saying something about shooting someone. The man saw the Black man grab a hammer and charge TP. Surveillance video showed TP and Fifer arguing. Fifer picked up a hammer in his right hand, held it above his head, and increased his pace back towards TP. The other employee tackled Fifer into equipment, and TP took the hammer from Fifer. Fifer said something like: “You’re gonna find out,” when he heard the employees were going to call police.
Fifer pulled up in a vehicle as officers left the shop. Fifer asked, “Y’all looking for me?” Fifer matched the man who had grabbed the hammer in the video, and he was arrested. Officers found a Glock handgun in Fifer’s right front pants pocket. Fifer was advised of his constitutional rights and agreed to speak to police. He said he has gotten work done on vehicles there many times. Fifer was unhappy with the result of the job that had been done, and he asked for a refund. TP pulled out receipts showing he did not have to return Fifer’s money.
Things got headed and they argued. Fifer told TP that he doesn’t mess around as he has been shot in the head before. TP replied he didn’t need a gun because he had his fists. Fifer claimed TP tacked him into a mechanic’s equipment and pinned him there. Fifer saw TP’s coworker approaching, so he grabbed a hammer to defend himself. TP let Fifer go at that point, so Fifer dropped the hammer. Fifer said he had a permit to carry a firearm, and he had his handgun on him during the incident.
