Sheriff, police chief believe Duluth homicide suspect was killed in officer-involved shooting

DULUTH, Minn. – New details were released Wednesday involving two fatal shooting investigations in Duluth that unfolded Tuesday, just hours apart from each other.

Investigators first believed the two shootings were not related. But after further investigating, St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay and Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa do believe they are connected, with the victim and suspect dead.

Sheriff Ramsay and Chief Ceynowa

The two top law enforcement leaders came together in a press conference Wednesday to also say they believe the suspect and victim in the shootings were known to each other and were known to police for past offenses.

The first shooting was reported Tuesday around 3:40 p.m. at the intersection of 4th Street and Piedmont Avenue.

Chief Ceynowa said Darius Handy, 33, of Duluth was shot while at a stop sign in his SUV.

Ceynowa said the victim was pulled out of the vehicle and placed on the ground so first responders could perform life-saving measures, which were ultimately unsuccessful.

Piedmont Avenue shooting scene

“Investigations take time and develop at their own pace. We are committed to solving this incident and will continue to follow this investigation and update once we’re able to share more,” Ceynowa said. “Firearms incidents are always scary, regardless of the time of day. We really have no place in our community for people to be causing violence with firearms.”

As for the second incident around 9:30 p.m., St. Louis County deputies were attempting to pull over an erratic driver on Grand Avenue in Norton Park.

Sheriff Ramsay said deputies performed a pit maneuver on the vehicle, which is why he said the driver fired his weapon and deputies returned fire, ultimately killing him.

The suspect, who was not identified Wednesday pending the BCA investigation, is responsible for killing Handy on Piedmont Avenue, according to authorities.  Deputies involved in the shooting were also not identified.

“Deputies names will be released at a later date by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in accordance with Minnesota reporting laws,” Ramsay said. “Fortunately, again, our deputies were not injured. They’re currently on critical incident leave at this time.”

Sheriff Ramsay said a handgun was located in the driver’s seat of the suspect’s vehicle.