Shooter Charged After 2 Hurt Near Stone Arch Bridge

Aug 31

A Brooklyn Center man has been charged with shooting two women near the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Tenzin Sonam Phouthavong, 21, was charged last week with two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of second-degree riot while armed.

> Sign up for the MN CRIME newsletter

Prosecutors allege Phouthavong opened fire toward a group of people during an argument on the night of Aug. 1, striking both women as they walked away from the confrontation.

On Friday, a judge set conditional bail at $75,000 with requirements including random testing, electronic monitoring, no contact with the victims, and a ban on firearm possession. Jail records show Phouthavong posted bail and was released from custody Saturday morning.

According to the complaint, surveillance video showed the shooter arriving on a Lime bike and firing multiple rounds from a cross-body bag before fleeing. Two women were caught in the crossfire and suffered minor gunshot wounds and were not transported to the hospital. Investigators recovered 10mm shell casings at the scene and linked the suspect to a Lime bike, which had been rented by Phouthavong.

READ MORE > Minneapolis coverage

*Minneapolis Park Police secure the area near the Stone Arch Bridge after a shooting left two women injured on August 1.* ***MN CRIME photo.***

Phouthavong was arrested outside his home on Aug. 26. A search of the residence turned up multiple firearms, narcotics, and clothing matching the shooter’s appearance, along with a black cross-body bag consistent with the one seen in the footage.

In a post-Miranda interview, Phouthavong admitted to firing rounds that night and said he uses 10mm ammunition in a 9mm handgun, similar to those recovered at the scene. His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 22.

> See more of our latest coverage