Jai-Shawn Thaddeus Jefferson

At around 11:30 PM on March 25, 2026, officers saw an orange Dodge Charger bearing Minnesota license plates LNB814 speeding on Maryland Avenue near Payne Avenue, St. Paul, Ramsey County. Officers activated their squad’s emergency lights and pursued the Charger. Officers tried to close the distance traveling 55 mph, but the Charger was pulling away from them. The Charger weaved around a car in front of it. A Ramsey County squad joined the pursuit. Officers turned off their emergency lights and sirens, but they followed the chase.

Deputy McManus joined the pursuit with his squad’s emergency lights activated after the Charger passed him at over 90 mph. The St. Paul squads were 3-5 seconds behind the Charger, and they eventually terminated the pursuit. Deputy McManus pursued the Charger at speeds of 90-100 mph. The Charger passed vehicles on the opposite side of the road and ran a red light at Johnson Parkway. The Charger pulled into a parking lot, and Deputy McManus saw JAI-SHAWN THADDEUS JEFFERSON [DOB REDACTED] walking away from the Charger toward a group of people standing at [ADDRESS REDACTED], St. Paul, Ramsey County.

Deputy McManus made contact with Jefferson. Jefferson threw the Charger’s keys to the ground before he was arrested. Jefferson fled for around 1.3 miles. Jefferson was advised of his constitutional rights and agreed to speak to police. Jefferson said he was taking the Charger to the auto shop the next day and was testing his acceleration. Jefferson said he passed two squads while speeding and he saw a squad turn onto Maryland Avenue to follow him. Jefferson said he knew he was going to be stopped, and he admitted fleeing.

Jefferson was apologetic and said he made a bad decision.