Two Dead, Child Injured After Carjacking Suspect Crashes Into Vehicle During Police Chase in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, M.N. — Two women are dead and a young child remains hospitalized after a carjacking suspect fleeing police slammed into their vehicle during a Thursday morning pursuit, authorities confirmed.

Carjacking Leads to Deadly Pursuit

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the chaos began shortly after 8 a.m., when reports came in of a man driving recklessly near East Lake Street and Fourth Avenue South. Witnesses said the suspect swerved into oncoming traffic, sped down sidewalks, and crashed before attempting multiple carjackings.

The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Troy Mike Payton, ultimately “violently carjacked” a woman at gunpoint and sped away in her vehicle, firing gunshots as he fled.

Police located him by 8:36 a.m. and initiated a pursuit. Minutes later, the stolen car collided with another vehicle carrying innocent victims.

Victims Identified

The crash killed 25-year-old Marisa Ardys Casebolt and 25-year-old Liberty Borg, both inside the struck vehicle. A child passenger, believed to be 5 or 6 years old, was taken to the hospital but is expected to survive.

Three dogs were also inside the stolen vehicle. One had to be euthanized due to injuries, while two others are recovering.

Eyewitness Accounts

Carjacking victim Ashley Rauchwarter said she was heading home from a hospital shift when Payton pointed a gun at her and forced her out of her car.

“He ultimately just came toward me and pointed the gun at me. I was just so scared at that point that I just opened my car door and just started getting out,” she said. “It’s just really sad this one person did all of this to so many people.”

Another attempted victim, Sarah Quast, described watching the incident unfold in her rearview mirror:

“I was hyperventilating. I was so terrified that I couldn’t think straight. It was pure panic.”

Police and Community Reaction

Chief O’Hara defended the decision to pursue, noting that Minneapolis has been criticized for limiting police chases in the past.

“This result is exactly why we have such stringent policies,” O’Hara said. “This is a very devastating incident with very heartbreaking consequences. This is an outcome we never want.”

The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association condemned the violence, with Interim Executive Director David Titus saying:

“Two innocent women are dead and a child is injured solely because of the reckless, violent actions of a criminal… Enough is enough. Minnesotans deserve safe streets, not excuses for criminals.”

Authorities say Payton was arrested at the scene and booked into Hennepin County Jail on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide. The case remains under investigation.

Do you think Minnesota should strengthen laws or penalties to deter repeat violent offenders? Share your perspective with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.