Crime

Cloquet Slashing Suspect Charged

A man allegedly slashes woman for 'snitching'

CLOQUET, Minn. — A Cloquet area man is accused of slashing a woman’s throat, after accusing her of snitching; according to Probable Cause Documents filed in District Court. 25-year-old Toby Ray Smith is being held in the Carlton County Jail on $100,000 bond, after police alleged, he stabbed a woman in the neck on Aug. 22, on the Fond Du…

Aurora Shooting Suspect Charged

22-year-old charged with attempted murder

AURORA, Minn. — A 22-year-old Biwabik man was booked into the St. Louis County Jail today, according to jail records. Court documents show that Landon Tuomala is facing several charges, including attempted second-degree murder, stemming from a Tuesday shooting in Aurora. Tuesday, East Range Police Department responded to a 911 call from a man, reportedly Tuomala, claiming they had shot…

One Dead After House Fire In Midway Township

MIDWAY TOWNSHIP, Minn. — One person is dead after a house fire happened in Midway Township. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the fire occurred at 11:35 p.m. on August 18 on the 5300 block of Old Highway 61. After fire crews fought the fire for 2 hours they found a dead man in the living room. Authorities say…

Carlton Man Sustains Significant Injuries After ATV Accident

MAHTOWA TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A 70-year-old man sustained significant injuries after an ATV accident on Tuesday evening. The accident happened in the 2500 block of County Road 4 in Mahtowa Township at 5:29 p.m. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office says they received a report of an ATV that flipped with the driver unconscious. After investigation, it was found the man…

2 Shot In Duluth’s Downtown Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. —  Two people were shot early Saturday in the 100 block of E. 3rd Street, which is considered the edge of downtown Duluth. The shooting happened around 2:15 a.m. Saturday.   The Duluth Police Department issued a press release on the incident at 4:16 p.m. Saturday. Police described the scene where they located two victims as “chaotic.” A 56-year-old…

New Downtown Duluth Jewelry Store Burglarized

DULUTH, Minn. –  FOX 21 has learned a new downtown Duluth jewelry store was burglarized just weeks after opening. After inquiring about the crime with the Duluth Police Department on Friday, Aug. 25, a police spokesperson said Genereau & Co. Jewelry on the 200-block of East Superior Street was broken into during the overnight hours of Wednesday, July 24. “The…

Hibbing Police Investigate Shooting, Stabbing Involving Juveniles

HIBBING, Minn. — A shooting and stabbing are under investigation as one criminal case in Hibbing. Police said the gunshots were reported around 2 a.m. Wednesday in the area of Bennett Park. When police arrived, a juvenile male was located with a gunshot to the abdomen, according to police. The boy was transported to Aspirus St. Luke’s in Duluth. Officers…

Police: Missing Proctor Boy Found Safe

UPDATE (August 20, 1:30 p.m.) — The Proctor Police Department says the young boy has been located and is safe. ORIGINAL POST: PROCTOR, Minn. — The Proctor Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing boy. The 7-year-old boy named Solomon is non-verbal and autistic. Police say he was last seen wearing dark blue shorts and…

Volunteers Needed For Active-Shooter Training At UWS

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Don’t be alarmed by the larger than usual police presence that will surround the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Holden Fine & Applied Arts Center later this week. UWS Campus Police will undergo an active shooter training to ensure campus police know how to handle an active shooter threat. The training will happen Wednesday, August 14, and Thursday, August…

Duluth’s Priley Fountain Reopens, Damaged Grounds Being Restored After Encampment

DULUTH, Minn. — Priley Circle within the Duluth Civic Center was a much different site Thursday compared to the three-month-old encampment that was cleared out on Wednesday. City crews have since fenced off the land where the encampment used to be.  It’ll stay that way until the damaged grounds can be restored, according to the city. The historic Priley Foundation…

Duluth Shooting Incidents Down Significantly So Far In 2024

DULUTH, Minn. — There is good news about Duluth’s violent crime so far in 2024. It’s the lowest it’s been since before the pandemic. FOX 21 recently requested a six-year breakdown of data from the Duluth Police Department involving shooting incidents through July.  The numbers show a steep decline in 2024 compared to the past five years. As of July…

Northland K-9s Show Off At 10th Annual Operation K-9

SUPERIOR, Wis.–K-9 units from five law enforcement agencies were on full display in Superior Thursday for the 10th annual Operation K-9. Officers and their partners in crime demonstrated tasks for a big audience on the field next to Wessman Arena. Dozens of families, first responders, and supporters of the police packed the stands for a free series of demonstrations. Fox…

Duluth Encampment Told To Vacate After Explosion, Overdose, Defecating In Fountain

DULUTH, Minn. — A three-month-old encampment outside Duluth City Hall was declared a serious health and safety risk Tuesday morning. The city’s Life Safety Team informed those camping on the property to vacate within seven days. The camping tents first popped up in May as a pro-Palestine demonstration and have since grown to include people who are homeless. The city…

Falastin Temporarily Closes Due to Graffiti Threats Found on Property

DULUTH, Minn. — A local Palestinian market and deli closed its doors temporarily on Friday after threatening graffiti was found on the property. The Duluth Police Department says it was a “derogatory anti-Palestinian” message occurring at Falastin on the 4700 block of East Superior Street. Authorities say it appeared to have occurred sometime between 3 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m….

Arson Attacks Paralyze French High-Speed Rail Network Hours Before Start Of Olympics

PARIS (AP) — France’s high-speed rail network was hit Friday with widespread and “criminal” acts of vandalism including arson attacks, paralyzing travel to Paris from across the rest of France and Europe, and thwarting Olympic athletes from travel, only hours before the grand opening ceremony of the Games. French officials condemned the attacks as “criminal actions,” though they said there was no…

Pedestrian Dead, Another Injured After Being Struck By Vehicle Near Coleraine

COLERAINE, Minn. – One person is dead and another is critically injured after being struck by a vehicle early Monday morning. The incident happened around 1:15 a.m. on Highway 169 near Coleraine in Itasca County. According to the report, a Chevy Monte Carlo was heading southbound when it struck two pedestrians walking in the southbound lane. Dakota Kimberly Jones, 14,…

Police: Victim Of Duluth Stabbing ‘Uncooperative’

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are investigating a stabbing that they say involves an uncooperative victim. The stabbing happened Friday night in the area of the 100 block of East 4th Street. Officers made contact with the victim who received minor injuries. The victim refused medical attention and refused to cooperative with investigators, according to a news release. Police believe…

Ex-Superior Police Officer Sentenced For Double-Fatal Drunken Crash

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It was an emotional day in court Wednesday as a Douglas County judge handed down his sentence against a former Superior police officer who killed a father and newborn son in a drunken hit-and-run in 2022. Judge George Glonik sentenced Gregory Swanson, 44, to 5 years in prison and 5 years supervision for each of the two…

Out-of-State Officers Shot and Killed a Man Wielding Two Knives Blocks Away From the RNC, Police Say

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ohio police officers in Wisconsin for the Republican National Convention shot and killed a man who was wielding two knives near the convention, Milwaukee’s police chief said Tuesday. Five members of the Columbus, Ohio, police department fired on the man, who had a knife in each hand, refused police commands and charged at an unarmed man before police fired,…

Duluth Used Less Lethal Force Armed Burglar Caught in Act

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Police used less lethal options against an armed burglar who they say wouldn’t peacefully surrender after getting caught in the act. This happened around 3:10 p.m. Tuesday afternoon in an apartment complex on E 2nd St. The 47-year-old male suspect was eventually arrested. Authorities say he was armed with a box cutter. No officers were injured….

Strong Opinions On Proposed Public Safety Plan; Duluth Mayor, Chiefs Encourage More

DULUTH, Minn. — One day after a standing-room only council meeting, the city of Duluth’s top public safety leaders are reacting to 3.5 hours of public comments and dialogue about Mayor Roger Reinert’s proposed ordinance changes to get tougher on non-violent crime. Property damage, graffiti, illegal dumping and camping on public property are among the non-violent crimes that would become…

Man Arrested After Downtown Duluth Stabbing

Update (2 p.m.): Duluth police have arrested a 30-year-old Duluth man after an early morning stabbing downtown Tuesday. The man is being held on pending charges of first-degree assault after police say the man stabbed the victim in the neck at 214 E. Superior Street, which is the Gichi-Ode’ Akiing Park. The stabbing was reported around 3:45 a.m. The victim,…

Man Dead After ATV Crash Monday Morning

HIBBING, Minn. – A man is dead after crashing an ATV in Hibbing early Monday morning. According to the police report, around 5:30 in the morning on Monday the Hibbing Police Department responded to the 3700 block of 7th Ave. W. for the report of a 38-year-old man laying in the road with an ATV near him. Authorities say that…

Update: Bayfield County ‘Animal Neglect Investigation’ Of Horses Sent To Dist. Atty.

7/12/24 Update: Courtesy: Bella Bretting Courtesy: Bella Bretting TOWN OF BELL, Wis. –  Two days after the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office said there was not enough evidence to prosecute an animal neglect case involving more than 15 horses, FOX 21 has learned the Sheriff’s Office has sent their investigation over to the District Attorney’s Office for possible charges. On Wednesday,…

Three Arrested On Drug And Weapons Charges

  DULUTH, Minn — Drugs and weapons were seized and three people arrested when members of the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force served a warrant in the 14 hundred block of West 91st Avenue on Thursday. At the Morgan Park home, a 35-year-old man from Duluth, A 19-year-old from Chicago, and A 37-year-old person whose address is unknown, were…

Duluth Mayor Proposes ‘Public Safety Ordinances’ For Non-Violent Crimes

DULUTH Minn.– Improving public safety is one of Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert’s top priorities. On Monday afternoon, he and his chiefs of police and fire announced a proposal to help cut down on non-violent crimes. The plan includes 10 city ordinances that will amend sections of the city code. This includes introducing misdemeanor-level offenses for problems such as burning, graffiti,…

Hibbing Man Arrested in Connection of Trafficking Drugs in Iron Range

HIBBING, Minn. – A Hibbing man has been arrested in connection to trafficking drugs on the Iron Range. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force (LSVOTF) investigated Phillip Davis, 53, of Hibbing, after receiving information that he was having individuals deliver methamphetamine and fentanyl. Authorities found out this information through electronic monitoring. …

Former Minnesota State Representative Arrested With Criminal Sexual Conduct

Jason Metsa was booked into St. Louis County Jail Saturday morning

DULUTH, Minn. — Former Minnesota State Representative Jason Metsa has been arrested with criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, involving force or coercion, according to the St. Louis County Jail roster. Metsa was booked in at 11:48 a.m. on Saturday, July 6 for probable cause. No bail has been set. He represented District 6B — north of Duluth —…

19-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed Near Nashwauk

LONE PINE TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A pedestrian was killed after being struck walking in the traffic lane near Nashwauk. According to the report, a 2005 GMC Yukon was heading southbound on US Hwy 169 when it struck a pedestrian walking in the traffic lane. The incident happen right after 11 p.m., Wednesday night. The 19-year-old pedestrian was pronounced dead on…

Woman Arrested After ‘Accidental’ Shooting

DULUTH, Minn. — A 23-year-old woman was arrested early Thursday morning after she said she accidently shooting another 23-year-old woman. Around 12:30 a.m., the Duluth Police Department responded to a report of a woman shot in the leg. This happened around N 1st Ave. E and 2nd St. According to the report, a 23-year-old woman accidentally discharged her weapon hitting…

Hibbing Police Make Big Break In 2017 Unsolved Murder Of Businessman

HIBBING, Minn. — The 2017 murder of Hibbing business owner Brian Nelson remains unsolved, as the 7th anniversary of his death approaches next week. But Monday night, FOX 21 confirmed Hibbing police investigators are closing in on the case. After seven years of investigating every lead possible, new forensic technology has created the most credible lead yet into finding out…

2 Dead In Head-On Crash In Town Of Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Two people are dead after a head-on collision in the Town of Superior on Sunday, June 30. The crash happened at 8:36 a.m. on STH 35 between Hunter Road and Gustafson Road. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, a northbound Mitsubishi Outlander crossed the center line of STH 35 and struck a southbound Toyota Camry. Both…

Single Vehicle Crash Causes Damage To Duluth Railroad Tracks, Minor Injuries Occurred

DULUTH, Minn. — A single vehicle crash happened Monday morning causing damage to some railroad tracks in Duluth. The driver walking away with minor injuries. It happened at 8:50 a.m. around East Superior Street and North 45th Avenue East. The Duluth Police Department says the vehicle was traveling eastbound at extreme speeds when it left the roadway and struck a…

Jury: Sanussi Bangoura Guilty in Fatal Drive-By Shooting

DULUTH, Minn. — A 22-year-old Duluth man has been found guilty for his involvement in the death of a man and injuring another last august. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office says a jury has found 22-year-old Sanussi Bangoura guilty of three felonies including aiding and abetting second degree murder and drive-by shooting. Bangoura and his co-defendent 25-year-old Brandon Williams-Gillard shot…

Ashland County Sheriff Received $228 Thousand to Aid the Fight Against Opioids

ASHLAND, Wis. — It kills more Wisconsinites a year than car crashes. Opioids, a powerful prescribed painkiller, has overwhelmed communities across the country. In 2023, Wisconsin saw just over 1,300 opioid-related deaths. To combat rising opioid death rates, the state of Wisconsin has announced grants being awarded to law enforcement agencies state-wide.  “As Attorney General, my top priority is public…