Man shot by police inside Mpls. City Hall faces assault, robbery charges

The Hennepin County Attorney's office said Wednesday that 18-year-old Marcus Fischer was being investigated by police for a shooting when he stabbed himself and was shot by police.

In the criminal complaint, prosecutors accuse Fischer of shooting a man in the chest after the victim tried to sell Fischer a handgun. He's being charged with three felonies: assault and robbery, both in the first degree and unlawful possession of a firearm. Fischer has a prior felony conviction as a juvenile.

The shooting occurred on Dec. 13, just five days before police brought Fischer to City Hall's room 108 to question him about the incident.

In a statement, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said an initial court appearance has not been set because Fischer is still hospitalized.

According to the criminal complaint:

Officers responded to a 911 call at a gas station in Anoka County around 7:20 p.m. on Dec. 13. They found a man in a car with a gunshot wound to the chest. Once at the hospital, the bullet was found behind the man's heart. He is still hospitalized.

Witnesses said the man was trying to sell a Kel-Tech 9mm handgun to Fischer near the 1400 block of 5th Street NE in Minneapolis. While in the alley, as Fischer held the handgun, he produced a weapon of his own. He "said words to the effect of 'It's mine now,' shot the victim in the chest and left the scene" with both guns.

Officers arrested Fischer and found the alleged stolen weapon in his bedroom.

Under police questioning, Fischer denied being the shooter, but said he had someone else with him, and just arranged the meeting with the seller.

"Following the interview, defendant attempted to take his own life inside the interrogation room. Defendant is currently hospitalized and is under police guard," according to the complaint.