Minneapolis Man Allegedly Shot at Police and Crashed Ex-Girlfriend’s Car After She Broke Up with Him

Mar. 15, 2025

Eddie James Freeman III.Photo:Hennepin County Jail

Hennepin County Jail

A 23-year-old man allegedly fired shots at a state trooper after crashing his ex-girlfriend’s car when she attempted to end their relationship on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Minneapolis, per the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Sept. 24news releaseandWCCO News.

Vande Steeg and Freeman exchanged gunfire, and no one was hit or injured, authorities said. Body cam footage captured BCA crime scene responders finding a handgun where Freeman was arrested and assessing bullet holes on the police car.

Stock image of a state Trooper officer car in Minnesota.Getty

Getty

Allegedly, Freeman “raised his hand and pointed what appeared to be a gun in the officer’s direction,” the complaint added, noting that Vande Steeg returned fire. Additional law enforcement officers with the Minneapolis Police Department responded to the scene.

Then, more officers surrounded Freeman. He tossed the gun before he was arrested — police recovered the gun. He allegedly spit in the face of a Minneapolis police officer while being arrested, according to the criminal complaint, per WCCO News.

Law enforcement then spoke with the vehicle’s driver, who said she was Freeman’s girlfriend. The pair had been driving on I-94 when she told Freeman the “relationship was over.” Freeman allegedly grabbed the steering wheel and crashed the car. After the crash, he exited the vehicle and the woman, whose name has not been made public, said she heard gunshots. Police say officers discovered a bullet hole in the driver’s side door, but no injuries were reported, according to WCCO News.

Two witnesses who were about to offer help fled the scene when they saw someone pointing a gun at them. They ran away and heard approximately six gunshots, per WCCO News.

Stock image of police tape at night time.Getty

After the incident, I-94 shut down for over 12 hours so authorities could investigate the incident before reopening late Sunday morning, Sept. 22.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Freeman was charged with first-degree assault against a police officer, four counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, and fourth-degree assault, Fox 9 reports.

Freeman remains in custody at Hennepin County Jail. His bail has been set at $300,000 with conditions. He appeared in court on Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 25, per WCCO News.

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The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Wednesday.

source: people.com