A party on the 3500 block of Lyndale Avenue North in Minneapolis turned violent when a man pulled out a handgun and shot another man multiple times, sending him to the hospital with serious injuries.
Zhaiveon Robert Smith, 21, of Minneapolis, faces charges of attempted 2nd-degree murder and 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon causing substantial bodily harm, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in Hennepin County District Court.
According to court records, officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation in the area on May 28, 2026. As they headed to the scene, they learned that the victim had already been transported to North Memorial Medical Center with three gunshot wounds, one to the stomach, one to the leg and one to the armpit. The victim was sedated and prepped for surgery due to the severity of his injuries.
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At the scene, officers found 11 discharged cartridge casings in the driveway of a residence. The complaint states that the victim later told investigators he had been at a party at the residence when Smith arrived in a grey Dodge Avenger. Smith got out of the vehicle and called the victim over to talk. The victim, accompanied by two other people, approached Smith, who then pulled out a black Glock handgun equipped with a switch and shot the victim.
The victim was taken to the hospital by a friend. During a follow-up interview on June 2, the victim confirmed the sequence of events and told officers that several weeks before the shooting, he had been warned that Smith wanted to shoot him.
Investigators obtained phone records for Smith, which showed his cell phone was in the area at the time of the shooting. The complaint notes that a warrant was requested for Smith’s arrest due to public safety concerns.
The charges against Smith include attempted murder in the 2nd degree, alleging he intended to kill the victim but did not act with premeditation and 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon resulting in substantial bodily harm.
The case was filed June 23. 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.
