Man Shot by Police in Saint Paul Now Facing Felony Charges
The suspect is cuffed after being shot by an officer Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 in Saint Paul. MN CRIME PHOTO
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A Minneapolis man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say he stole a vehicle, fled from officers and pointed a handgun at police during a foot chase in Saint Paul on Sunday afternoon.
According to the criminal complaint, the incident stemmed from the theft of a Buick Envista from a parking garage in Minneapolis.
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A manager at a vehicle rental company told investigators the Buick had been parked with its keys secured inside a metal lockbox that appeared to have been pried open. Two other vehicles were reported stolen from the same garage around the same time.
General Motors tracking data later showed the driver of the stolen Buick traveling into Saint Paul. Officers located the driver and followed them as they traveled southbound on Highway 52. The driver exited the highway, turned around and re-entered Highway 52 heading north. As the driver approached the exit ramp to westbound Interstate 94, officers had General Motors remotely slow and stop the vehicle.
Squad video showed the vehicle coming to a stop and both front doors opening. Officers reported that the occupants were attempting to run from the vehicle on foot. Elliot Samuels Vaughn, 32, of Minneapolis, got out of the driver’s seat while a second person exited from the passenger side. Officers drove behind Vaughn as he ran from the scene on foot.
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An officer radioed that Vaughn was reaching into his pants while running. Investigators say Vaughn was grabbing a handgun with his right hand and transferred it to his left hand before extending his arm behind him and pointing the gun directly at two officers inside a squad car. At least one officer fired their weapon, striking Vaughn in the right thigh. He fell to the ground and was taken into custody.
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Officers located an empty holster on Vaughn and recovered a Smith & Wesson handgun nearby. The complaint states the firearm had a round in the chamber and a loaded magazine. Officers applied a tourniquet to Vaughn’s leg at the scene before he was transported to Regions Hospital by paramedics. He was later discharged, taken to jail and declined to give a custodial interview to investigators.
Vaughn is charged with two counts of first-degree assault for using or attempting to use deadly force against peace officers, two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of felony motor vehicle theft. Initial bail was set at $200,000. He remains in custody.
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