Suspect charged, officer identified in use of force incident on I-94

A suspect has been charged and a deputy has been identified in a use-of-force incident on I-94 over the weekend.

Eddie Freeman, 23, was charged with first-degree assault on a peace officer, four counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of fourth-degree assault on a peace officer.

RELATED: I-94 in Minneapolis reopens after BCA use of force investigation concludes; no injuries reported

According to court documents, State Patrol troopers responded to the area of ​​I-94 and Dowling Avenue North in Minneapolis for a single-car crash shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday. Along the way, troopers received additional information that shots had been fired and obtained a description of the suspect.

A police officer, identified by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension as Mark Vande Steeg, approached Lowry Avenue and shined his spotlight on a person who matched the suspect’s description. Freeman then pointed a gun at the police car and fired several shots. Vande Steeg was not hit, but a bullet hole struck the car.

At one point, Vande Steeg returned fire, but did not hit anyone.

Other authorities responded and a Minneapolis police officer saw what he thought was a gun pointed at him and heard what he thought was a gunshot fired in his direction.

Freeman was surrounded by other officers and eventually threw down his weapon, which officers found and recovered. Court documents state Freeman was then taken into custody.

At the time of the incident, other officers were back at the crash scene with a victim who was driving the vehicle. The victim stated that Freeman was her boyfriend and that as they were driving on I-94, she told Freeman that their relationship was over.

According to the victim, Freeman then grabbed the steering wheel and caused the vehicle to crash. The victim said Freeman then exited the vehicle and she heard gunshots outside the car.

Two good Samaritans at the scene also said they went to the scene of the crash to see if anyone was injured when they saw Freeman pointing a gun at them. They said they heard about six shots, then got into a car and left the scene.

Vande Steeg, who has been with law enforcement for just over a year, has been placed on standard critical incident leave.

The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating Freeman’s actions, while the BCA is investigating Vande Steeg’s use of force.

The BCA is investigating the incident and reviewing the body camera video and will provide its findings without recommending charges to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for review.