Minneapolis authorities have taken into custody a man believed to be the perpetrator of a mass shooting that occurred earlier this week. The incident led to the death of four individuals, with another person sustaining injuries. The announcement of the arrest of James Ortley, 34, was made by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara during a press briefing on Thursday evening.
The injured party later died in the hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities to five. Police suspect Ortley of instigating the first of six separate shooting incidents that took place within a 24-hour span in the city. These violent episodes resulted in six deaths and five injuries. Detectives are currently trying to establish if there is a link between these shootings.
Law enforcement officials have indicated that the mass shooting for which Ortley is being held was not a random act of violence. Investigations are also ongoing to determine if there were other parties involved in the mass shooting.
The U.S. Marshals Service reported that Ortley was apprehended around 3:30 p.m. local time. He was arrested on a warrant charging him with multiple counts of second-degree murder. In addition to these charges, Ortley was also sought on a federal warrant for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Online records show that Ortley was previously arrested in February on suspicion of involvement in a series of violent robberies in Minneapolis. However, he was later released without charges after being held for two days.
The recent arrest has brought some relief to the Minneapolis community, which has been on high alert following the series of violent incidents. As investigations continue, authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities.