Man injured in Minneapolis shooting that killed firefighter charged with rioting

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The scene of the shooting on Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A second man is facing criminal charges in connection with a shooting in Minneapolis that left one man dead Eagan and Eden Prairie firefighters earlier this month.

Dallas Antonio Villarreal-Griffin, 27, of Columbia Heights, is charged with second-degree rioting after investigators say he was shot in the leg during the shootout. He was arrested Friday, May 17, and admitted firing a “ghost gun” at an opposing group during the shootout, a criminal complaint says.

His alleged associate, 28-year-old Marquise Trevone Hammonds-Ford of Monticello, was arrested and charged May 14.

The shooting resulted in the death of Eagan and Eden Prairie firefighter Joseph Johns, who was directing traffic at the time and caught in the crossfire, according to court documents.

Minneapolis police said they responded to reports of a shooting May 5 around 12:30 p.m. near the Whiskey Junction Bar. Officers then found bystanders performing CPR on Johns, who died despite first responders using life-saving measures.

Investigators determined that the shooting occurred between two groups and that both Villarreal-Griffin and Hammonds-Ford were part of the group that instigated the shooting.

According to the complaint, before the shooting, “hundreds” of people gathered at the bar to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of a motorcycle club.

Court documents state that Villarreal-Griffin was among the group of people across the street from the bar who “acted in concert to intimidate and/or antagonize people at the bar” by brandishing weapons, making gestures and making provocative statements.

Hammonds-Ford allegedly fired the first shot, prompting people from both groups to begin shooting.

Investigators say they have not determined who fired the shots that killed Johns.

The complaint states that surveillance videos show Villarreal-Griffin, Hammonds-Ford and others running to a vehicle during the shooting. Villarreal-Griffin then took cover behind the rear passenger door of the vehicle and fired “numerous shots” at the opposing group. He then got into the vehicle, which then drove away.

The same vehicle then arrived at Hennepin County Medical Center in downtown Minneapolis a few minutes later. Villarreal-Griffin then got out of the back passenger seat and fell to the ground. Another man then jumped out of the vehicle and grabbed a wheelchair for Villarreal-Griffin. The vehicle sped away with Hammonds-Ford and at least one other person inside.

According to investigators, Villarreal-Griffin denied any involvement in the shooting while at the hospital and refused to provide further information.

After Villarreal-Griffin’s arrest, he admitted “that he was involved in the armed confrontation and subsequent shootout between the groups” and that he owned a 9mm “ghost gun” which he held in his hand while holding the other group taunted before shooting at them, according to the complaint.

After being told he may have been one of the people who killed Johns, Villarreal-Griffin said he didn’t know where the “ghost gun” was because he left it in the vehicle that took him to the hospital.

Records show Villarreal-Griffin was in the Hennepin County Jail as of Friday evening and has a criminal history that includes criminal and civil cases related to active domestic violence and abuse cases.

According to police, the investigation into the other people involved in the shooting is ongoing.