Chiefs remember firefighter’s kindness, service above self

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include information from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office regarding the death of Joseph Charles Johns.

Photographs of firefighter Joseph Charles Johns, posted on social media following his death, capture more than his likeness; they reflect the essence of a man celebrated for his radiant smile and generous spirit.

“Those pictures truly represented him as the individual we saw in our organizations and in the community – always with a great smile and a great heart, ready to care for people,” said Eden Prairie Fire Chief Scott Gerber.

Johns, 40, who served as a firefighter for the Eden Prairie and Eagan fire departments, was fatally shot while off-duty early Sunday, May 5, in Minneapolis. No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

Gerber described Johns, who lived in Eden Prairie, as “kind, caring, positive, and charismatic.”

Johns joined Eden Prairie as a part-time duty-crew firefighter in 2015 and became a career firefighter with the Eagan Fire Department in 2020.

“He was part of our fire service family,” Gerber said. “We share that loss with the fire service family. And even more importantly, as the fire service both in the City of Eagan and the City of Eden Prairie, we convey our prayers to Johns’ family that they are working through a tragic loss.”

Eagan Fire Chief Hugo Searle described Johns as a “wonderful, caring and kind man,” an exemplary servant to the two communities.

“Our fire service departments, we’re hurting right now,” Searle said. “The Johns’ family is hurting, and our focus is on healing ourselves and helping the Johns’ family plan what they want to do with Joseph, in honoring him in the next few days. We’re going to have to wait and see what the Johns’ family wants to do, but we’re supporting them in every way we can.”

Searle said Johns served as a full-time firefighter assigned to Eagan Fire Station 1 on the A shift. Eagan firefighters work 24-hour shifts, and Searle noted that the shift is working on Sunday.

“We shift change at 6 a.m.,” Searle said. “This had taken place by then. So for chiefs to have to go into a room to tell the shift brothers and sisters about what had happened to Joseph at the beginning of the shift was a very difficult message to give, to receive, to be a part of. Today is a tragic and difficult day in the fire service and in both our fire departments.”

Gerber reiterated that Johns prioritized service above self.

“Even though he was fortunate enough to become a full-time firefighter in the city of Eagan, he continued to serve here in the part-time duty crew capacity to help serve his home community,” he said.

Gerber emphasized the importance of supporting Johns’ colleagues in Eden Prairie and Eagan as they grapple with his loss. He highlighted available resources, such as talking to mental health professionals, and organizations like the Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE), a nonprofit that provides firefighters with resources to prioritize and protect their health.

According to Gerber, Johns is survived by his sister, brother, and mother.

The incident

Minneapolis police reported that officers responded at about 12:40 a.m. to a shooting in the parking lot behind 901 Cedar Ave. S.

Upon arrival, they found a man in his 40s with life-threatening gunshot wounds. Officers provided medical care, and the injured man was transported to Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC) in Minneapolis, where he later died. Another man with non-life-threatening injuries also arrived at HCMC in a private vehicle.

Minneapolis police reported that preliminary information indicates shots were fired across 9th Street at a group of people gathered in a parking lot behind 901 Cedar Ave. S. An exchange of gunfire then occurred.

Forensic scientists from the department’s forensic division responded to process the scene and collect evidence. Homicide detectives are working to determine the sequence of events that led to the shooting.

Update on the investigation

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed on Monday that the deceased in the shooting was indeed Johns.

According to the office’s press release, Johns sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest at 901 Cedar Ave. S. in Minneapolis. The incident has been ruled a homicide, and Johns was pronounced dead at 1:10 a.m. on May 5 in the HCMC emergency room.

Searle mentioned on Sunday that firefighters from both fire departments had initiated a casket watch at the medical examiner’s office as a gesture of solidarity and respect for Johns.

“Firefighters from Eagan and Eden Prairie will stand watch around the clock 24 hours until the Johns’ family takes him home,” Searle added.