Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Crime, Law and Justice
Tim Nelson

Prosecutors say police shooting of man in St. Paul last year was justified

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

A new report from the Ramsey County attorney’s office says video evidence shows 24-year-old Howard Johnson fired at police as many as three times before a St. Paul police sergeant returned fire and killed him in a shootout on the East Side on Dec. 5.

Ramsey County attorney John Choi released a memo today, concurring with a decision by his staff not to charge Cody Blanshan with any crimes. 

The report says that Johnson came to the attention of police after a woman who shares two children with him called 911 to report he had a gun and was threatening to kill her. Officers tracked him down on the city’s east side, along Interstate 94, where police said he appeared in the street on foot, apparently trying to carjack a passing motorist. 

Sgt. Cody Blanshan said he feared the street assailant might shoot the driver, so he accelerated his own police vehicle and intentionally hit Johnson with the front bumper, sending him flying. Both Blanshan and an officer in the front seat beside him said they saw Johnson fire at them as they approached. 

Surveillance and body camera video shows Johnson getting up from the crash and firing twice more, the report on a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation said. The investigation found that Johnson missed. Blanshan returned fire, hitting Johnson eight times as he stood in the street. 

Johnson died at Regions Hospital a short time later.