On or about March 6, 2026, at approximately 5:43 P.M., officers responded to a call from a Metro Transit bus at the intersection of Zane Avenue North and 65th Avenue North in Brooklyn Park, Hennepin County, Minnesota. The reporting party stated there was a black male wearing a black jacket, white shirt, and glasses, who was threatening people on the bus with a knife. Officers arrived on scene and entered the bus, where they detained a male matching the description given by the reporting party. The male, later identified as STEVEN EUGENE JOHNSON (“Defendant” herein) was holding a knife, approximately 3 inches long, over his head and making a stabbing motion.
Officers spoke with the bus driver (“Victim 1” herein). Victim 1 told officers that Defendant was sitting in the third row of the bus with a knife in hand. Defendant was knocking on the seat, and Victim 1 told Defendant to stop. Defendant said he had been “waiting for this time to kill someone.” Defendant approached Victim 1 with the knife in his hand after making that statement. Officers spoke with multiple witnesses, who confirmed Victim 1’s account. Officers spoke with a known adult male (“Victim 2” herein), who stated that he had been sitting at the back of the bus with his friend when he heard the bus driver, Victim 1, yelling.
Victim 2 looked around and saw Defendant holding a knife and making stabbing motions. Defendant turned his attention to Victim 2 and began “challenging” Victim 2 to come down towards him. Victim 2 stated Defendant was holding the knife over his head and making a stabbing motion. Defendant was making threats towards Victim 2, such as saying he will “kill him.” Victim 2 stated Defendant walked towards the back of the bus, where Victim 2 was sitting, when police arrived on scene. Officers detained Defendant.
During the arrest, Defendant was very agitated and yelling racial slurs. Defendant had a small cut on his hand from the knife he was holding. Medics checked this cut and determined it did not need stitches. Officers transported Defendant to the Hennepin County jail. Defendant remains in custody.
