Gunfire erupted outside Willard’s Liquor in Saint Paul on May 30, 2026, leaving two people injured, prompting an investigation that led to the arrest of a Minneapolis man.
Raquan Rajae Johnson, of Minneapolis, faces multiple charges including 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, drive-by shooting, and possession of a firearm as a person ineligible to possess firearms due to a prior conviction.
At around 9:30 p.m., an officer was near the intersection of Thomas Avenue and Grotto Street when he heard gunfire. Officers arrived to find two victims on the ground: one with a gunshot wound just below her left knee and another hopping on one leg, claiming he had also been shot. Both victims reported they were talking with friends when the shots rang out.
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Officers applied tourniquets to their injuries and found multiple spent shell casings in the area, indicating a significant gunfight had occurred.
Investigators later linked Johnson to the shooting after he was already in custody in Hennepin County for questioning about other shootings. During an interview, Johnson claimed he was shot at first and then fired a 9mm handgun in response. He acknowledged that he was in a dispute with another group and expressed surprise when informed that two people had been shot as a result of his actions.
Johnson’s electronic monitoring records placed him at the scene of the shooting at the time it occurred. He has a prior conviction for threats of violence, which prohibits him from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Johnson is currently in custody in Hennepin County. 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.
Related MN CRIME Coverage
Saint Paul Man Dies Months After January Assault • Gunfire Erupts at Barbecue in Saint Paul, 1 Victim Injured • 2 Saint Paul Men Charged in Shooting Near Wilder Rec Center
Jurisdictional Context
Ramsey County encompasses Saint Paul and is served by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. Felony cases are heard in the Second Judicial District at the Ramsey County Courthouse in downtown Saint Paul; the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office operates the Ramsey County Correctional Facility in Maplewood.
