On or about March 8, 2026 at approximately 5:55 P.M., officers on routine patrol in the area of Lake Street East and 4th Avenue South in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, responded to the sound of multiple gunshots. Officers saw multiple people running along Lake Street East and 4th Avenue South. One person running, later identified as STEVE RODRIGUEZ (“Defendant” herein), was wearing a black hoodie and black sweatpants, and he was holding his waistband while he ran. Officers followed Defendant and saw him remove a concealed handgun from his waistband and throw the handgun on the ground as he attempted to enter a nearby store front.
The storefront was locked and Defendant was unable to get inside. Officers approached and detained Defendant. Officers recovered a Glock 26 with serial number AGVC100 near Defendant and multiple 9 mm discharged cartridge casings around the area. These casings visually matched 9 mm rounds loaded in the Glock 26. Officers also spoke with a known adult male (“Witness” herein) who made a related report. Witness told officers that he had ordered food from a restaurant on the 300 block of Lake Steet East, and while he was waiting for his food Defendant walked into the restaurant.
Witness stated he and Defendant were friends, but Witness had not seen Defendant in approximately ten years. As Witness and Defendant talked to each other, they heard multiple gun shots. This scared Witness, and Witness pulled his firearm out to protect himself. Witness stated his firearm is a Glock 26 with serial number AGVC100. Witness said he had his firearm out, pointed at the ground, when Defendant took the firearm out of Witness’s hands and ran away with it. Witness had a permit to carry this firearm.
This occurred at approximately the same time officers heard gunshots. Defendant is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of the following convictions for crimes of violence: ••-CR-••-••••: convicted of felony assault-second degree, on or about August 4, 2008 ••-CR-••-••••: convicted of felony attempted aggravated robbery-first degree, on or about September 19, 2006 Defendant remains in custody.
