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

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

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

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

According to court documents, State Patrol officers responded to a car crash in the area of ​​I-94 and Dowling Avenue North in Minneapolis just after 10 p.m. Saturday. En route, officers received additional information that shots had been fired and a description of the suspect.

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

Vande Steeg returned fire once, but hit no one.

Additional authorities responded, and a Minneapolis police officer saw what he believed was a gun pointed at him and heard what he believed was a shot fired at him.

Freeman was surrounded by additional officers and eventually threw down his weapon, which officers found and secured. According to court documents, Freeman was then taken into custody.

At the same time, additional officers were back at the scene with a victim who was driving the vehicle. The victim said Freeman was her boyfriend and as they drove on I-94, she told Freeman that their relationship was over.

According to the victim, Freeman then grabbed the steering wheel and caused an accident. The victim said Freeman then got out of the vehicle and she heard gunshots outside the car.

Two Good Samaritans on the scene also reported that they went to the scene to see if anyone was injured when they saw Freeman pointing a gun at them. They said they heard about six gunshots, then got into a car and drove away from the scene.

Vande Steeg, who has been with the police force for just over a year, was 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, reviewing bodycam videos, and will submit its findings to the Hennepin County District Attorney's Office for review without recommending charges.