On April 16, 2026, at approximately 1:03 A.M., Saint Paul Officers responded to Pizza Luce, [ADDRESS REDACTED], Saint Paul, County of Ramsey, on a male in the restaurant who was refusing to leave, was breaking items, and threatened employees. Officers arrived and spoke to the bartender, GMC. GMC said the suspect-later identified as ANTONIO DAJUAN VORTICE, [DOB REDACTED]-was in the restaurant, engaging mostly with the store manager for about 15-20 minutes. When police were mentioned, VORTICE became more aggressive.
He picked up a stack of about 3-5 trays and threw them at the bar and at him. GMC was not hit with the trays. VORTICE had a walking stick (a tree branch approximately six feet long) (hereinafter referred to as stick) that he held. At one point, VORTICE held the stick like a baseball bat. When asked to identify himself, VORTICE responded “Police Corruption.” He was later identified by jail staff. Store manager BPS said VORTICE entered the store with a large walking stick, walked to some customers at a table, and asked for pizza.
He walked around the restaurant saying comments, got down on his knees to pray, and used the bathroom. Staff asked VORTICE if they could help him and he asked for free pizza. He was told he could pay for a slice of pizza and he said he would pay. Staff began to place his order but VORTICE said he would not pay. Staff asked VORTICE to leave multiple times. He became agitated when a staff member moved VORTICE’s backpack and placed it closer to him. BPS called police. VORTICE said that people were going to die if he did not get free food.
At one point, VORTICE threw a stack of metal pizza stands at the bartender. VORTICE grabbed a stack of glass plates from the counter and threw them on the floor, shattering them. VORTICE also held his stick like a baseball bat, but did not swing it. BPS was concerned that VORTICE would harm him or customers. Eventually, all of the customers left the restaurant. Officer Modeen responded and saw a male matching the suspect description-VORTICE-directly in front of the restaurant. VORTICE was told to drop the stick and his bag.
He responded, “Just shoot me. Go ahead and shoot me.” VORTICE refused to drop his stick and walked away. Officers followed VORTICE in squad cars and continued to tell him drop the stick. VORTICE said that officers would have to shoot him. Officers eventually approached VORTICE and took him to the ground. An officer removed the stick from VORTICE. VORTICE continued to tell officers, "Shoot me in the face." Officer Lenander viewed store video that captured the incident and that confirmed what staff members reported.
