Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced that additional charges have been filed against a man suspected in a string of shootings that occurred in Minneapolis near homeless encampments on September 18.
Moriarty says 36-year old Joshua Anthony Jones had initially faced one count of second-degree murder and one count of attempted second-degree murder, but is now adding a another second-degree murder charge.
"Mr. Jones shot five people in three different locations that day, with violence continuing from before 5:00 a.m. to after 7:00 p.m.," explained Moriarty.
She says Jones was not targeting homeless encampments but said instead he was targeting the victims. As far as a motive, she says that's still under investigation.
"On September 18th, there were multiple reports of shootings around encampments in South Minneapolis," Moriarty said Monday. "Thanks to collaboration between lead attorneys and MPD investigators, we can now dispel some confusion about what happened that
"I know that right now, people who are unhoused and living in encampments must feel under attack already," Moriarty says. "They are exposed to threats of violence and these shootings can only decrease their sense of security."
Jones appeared to have known the people he targeted and Moriarty believes most of the victims were not encampment residents.