On June 9, 2026, deputies from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that TYLER JOSEPH O’BRIEN, Defendant herein, was staying in [APT REDACTED] at [ADDRESS REDACTED], Minneapolis, Hennepin County. Defendant had an active Felony Release Violator warrant issued by the MN Department of Corrections (warrant number 26DOC427) on a previous weapons offense. Officers confirmed the warrant and observed a caution note indicating Defendant had a history of weapons violations and assault. The location of the apartment was described as “if you go to the back, it’s the apartment way at the top on the right.” The tip also indicated that Defendant was in possession of a Ruger handgun.
On June 9, 2026, at approximately 11:19 A.M., Deputy T. J., Deputy J. C., Deputy M. T., and Deputy N. B. Went to [ADDRESS REDACTED]. This building is a three-story, multi-unit residence with a business on the first level. The rear of the building has an exterior staircase with a deck area on both the second and third floors. An exterior door and a window for each rear facing unit are located on each of the decks. This includes [APT REDACTED] where Defendant was staying. Once on scene, deputies located the exterior stairs at the back of the building and went up to the third-floor deck area.
While the deputies were outside of [APT REDACTED], they observed a female matching the description of Defendant’s girlfriend, S. L. The female looked at them through a window and then went back into the apartment. Deputies knocked and made multiple announcements that they were from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies also announced that Defendant had a warrant for his arrest and ordered him to come to the door. Defendant did not comply. After multiple announcements, deputies placed a camera under the door to get a visual inside the apartment.
This was done for officer safety due to the information they had about Defendant’s prior history, current possession of a firearm and the female observing them through the window. While using the camera, deputies observed Defendant on the other side of the door. He was standing stationary with his feet spread apart and both arms extended in front of his body. Defendant had what appeared to be a handgun in his hands and was aiming it at the door directly where deputies were standing. The deputies backed up from the door and notified dispatched via radio about the situation.
While still on the third-floor deck, deputies observed a camera near them and one just past the door to [APT REDACTED]. Deputies believed the cameras may have been installed by Defendant due to their location and because the camera facing the deck was just plugged in with a cord hanging down and did not appear to be a professional building security camera. Due to safety concerns, deputies knocked the camera on the deck down. Deputy T. J. Then ran past Defendant’s door and disabled the second camera.
