WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) led Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and the Department of Justice calling for a review of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty following the lack of legal action taken prior to the September 2, 2026 shooting in downtown Minneapolis that left two people dead and several others injured, including two law enforcement officers.
The suspected shooter, Carlton Johnson II, had a well-established history of violence, including threatening a resident at his apartment building, brandishing a firearm, and sexually assaulting and threatening a woman. In total, Johnson had accumulated 34 criminal cases in Minnesota, spanning more than a decade. The lack of legal action taken by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office leading up to the tragic event on September 2nd raises serious concerns about what investigative and prosecutorial procedures were followed.
The letter reads:
“Dear U.S. Attorney General Blanche,
“We are writing to strongly request that the Department of Justice review the circumstances surrounding the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, particularly Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, and the lack of legal action taken involving Carlton Johnson II, the suspect of the September 2, 2026, Minneapolis shooting that left two people dead and several others injured, including law enforcement officers.
“Leading up to this tragic event, Hennepin County prosecutors declined to bring charges against Carlton Johnson II after he threatened a resident at the Shoreline Plaza building and brandished a firearm back in June of this year. The office claimed there was “insufficient evidence to prove a charge beyond a reasonable doubt.” In 2023, Johnson sexually assaulted and threatened a woman and in response she filed a restraining order against him. In total, Johnson had accumulated 34 separate criminal cases in the Twin Cities. The blatant lack of legal action taken by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office that subsequently led to the Minneapolis shooting, raises serious questions about whether appropriate investigative and prosecutorial procedures were followed.
“This is not the first case where the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, led by Mary Moriarty, poorly exercised their prosecutorial discretion. In 2024, we sent a letter to Governor Tim Walz regarding our concerns about her prosecution of Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan. Ms. Moriarty weaponized her position against law enforcement and ignored an independent use-of-force expert chosen by her own office, who stated that Trooper Londregan acted as a “reasonable officer” would have. After many months, Ms. Moriarty came to the same conclusion as the experts did and dropped all charges against Trooper Londregan. These cases show a pattern of poor prosecutorial discretion by Ms. Moriarty and undermine confidence in the fair and impartial administration of justice.
“We respectfully request that the Department of Justice review the actions of the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office regarding Carlton Johnson II and his violent past leading up to the Minneapolis shooting. When credible warnings are shown and brought to authorities, it is their responsibility to act, Ms. Moriarty’s dismissal of charges has led to injured law enforcement officers and the loss of Minnesotans.
“Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to your response and do not hesitate to contact our offices if we can be of further assistance.
“Sincerely,
Brad Finstad, Member of Congress
Pete Stauber, Member of Congress
Michelle Fischbach, Member of Congress”
