A Minneapolis man shot at the victim during an altercation on June 9, 2026, prompting police to respond to the area after receiving a ShotSpotter activation indicating six shots were fired.
Daniel Jamal Smith, of Minneapolis, faces charges of possessing a firearm as a prohibited person, dangerous weapons for a drive-by shooting and 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to the complaint, officers were dispatched to the 2900 block of Thomas Avenue after a 911 call from the victim, who reported that Smith had just shot at her. The victim stated that she and Smith had been dating for ten months and had lived together until recently. She explained that they had been arguing over the vehicle she drives, and when she left a local store, she found Smith’s friend blocking her car.
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Concerned that Smith was following her, she attempted to hide in an alley. When she was able to pull out, she saw Smith in a black pickup truck, who then rolled down the passenger window and fired six shots at her. The victim managed to escape down the alley while Smith pursued her.
Smith was later arrested by law enforcement and is currently in custody. During an interview, he declined to provide a formal statement but mentioned that the victim had damaged his property and refused to return his vehicle. The complaint notes that Smith has a history of domestic violence and is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to multiple felony convictions, including a Threats of Violence conviction from February 2018.
He is also on probation for a previous incident where he threatened to shoot a former partner and had shot at her home. A court date has not yet been set.
About This Charge
Minnesota classifies assault by degree under § 609.221 (first), § 609.222 (second), § 609.223 (third), § 609.2231 (fourth) and § 609.224 (fifth). First-degree assault, alleging great bodily harm, carries up to 20 years in prison. The lower degrees range from gross-misdemeanor up to 10-year felony exposure depending on weapon use and harm.
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Jurisdictional Context
Hennepin County is Minnesota’s most populous jurisdiction. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office handles felony prosecutions across Minneapolis and 45 surrounding cities; the Fourth Judicial District presides over felony arraignments and trials at the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis.
