Man Accused of Firing Shots at Woman, Ramming 2 Duluth Squad Cars

Sep 28

A Chicago man is facing multiple felony charges in Duluth after authorities say he shot at a woman, then rammed into two police squad cars while intoxicated.

According to a criminal complaint, 36-year-old Demetrius Remond Norwood is charged with attempted second-degree murder, illegal firearm possession, first-degree property damage and refusing a chemical test after driving drunk.

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Police responded to the 500 block of North 57th Avenue West in Duluth around 11:10 p.m. on Sept. 24 after reports that Norwood had fired shots at a 34-year-old woman as she drove away from her home. The woman told officers she and Norwood had been casually talking but had not been in a sexual relationship. She said Norwood was supposed to stay at her house that night but grew angry and suspicious while out drinking with friends.

When she returned with food for her children, Norwood was reportedly on her porch yelling on the phone and accusing her of cheating. The complaint states he threatened to kill her, then raised his hand as if to shoot when she pulled up. The woman said she believed she was about to die and sped off as Norwood fired twice, striking her car once. She drove erratically away from the scene before stopping near Mr. D’s, a bar and grill on Grand Avenue.

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As officers gathered witness statements, Norwood allegedly returned in his Dodge Charger at high speed and deliberately crashed into two marked Duluth Police vehicles with their lights activated. He was arrested at gunpoint. Officers reported a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech and poor balance. Inside the car they found a nearly empty bottle of liquor and a loaded 9mm handgun under the passenger seat. Two spent shell casings were also recovered near the victim’s home.

Police attempted to conduct a breath test, but Norwood refused to cooperate, threatened to head butt officers, and told them “suck my d***” when asked to provide a sample. He also said, “I don’t f*** with the police,” according to the complaint.

Court records show Norwood was previously convicted of threats of violence in October 2021, making him ineligible to possess a firearm. His current charges carry maximum sentences up to 20 years for attempted murder, 15 years for firearm possession, five years for property damage and nearly a year for the DWI refusal. Norwood remains in custody with bail set at $150,000.

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