Man charged for starting altercation leading to off-duty firefighter’s fatal shooting

A Monticello man faces multiple felony charges after inciting an altercation that led to the fatal shooting of off-duty Eden Prairie and Eagan firefighter Joseph Johns, 40, in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Marquise Trevone Hammonds-Ford, 28, made his first court appearance on Tuesday. His bail was set at $1 million or $800,000 with conditions.

Hammonds-Ford is charged with first-degree riot resulting in death, possession of a machine gun, and possession of ammunition or a firearm by a convicted felon.

Incident details from the criminal complaint

According to the criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court, officers responded at about 12:30 a.m. on May 5 to reports of a shooting involving multiple shooters near the Whiskey Junction Bar in Minneapolis.

Upon arrival, they found Johns of Eden Prairie suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite life-saving efforts by bystanders, officers, firefighters, and paramedics, Johns was pronounced dead.

Officers collected evidence, including 63 discharged cartridge casings (DCCs) from seven different firearms. Witnesses reported that hundreds had gathered at the bar to celebrate the Tru Breed Motorcycle Club’s 19th anniversary. Johns, whose funeral took place Monday, was a club member.

Surveillance video showed an altercation between two groups of men standing on opposite sides of the street. A man in a red hooded sweatshirt, later identified as Hammonds-Ford, reportedly incited the confrontation by wielding a handgun with an extended magazine and making provocative gestures. The complaint states that Hammonds-Ford is a known member of the YNT criminal street gang based in north Minneapolis.

The shootout reportedly began when Hammonds-Ford fired his modified handgun. An auto-sear device had converted the semi-automatic firearm into an automatic weapon. Following Hammonds-Ford’s initial gunfire, individuals from both groups began shooting at each other.

According to a witness, Johns was outside the bar directing traffic when the gunfire erupted. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Johns died from a single gunshot wound to the chest caused by a 9mm bullet.

Investigators concluded that Hammonds-Ford fired the 10mm firearm, modified to function as an automatic weapon.

Court records reveal Hammonds-Ford’s extensive criminal history, including a 2017 conviction for threats of violence, which prohibits him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The investigation into other suspects involved in Johns’ death is ongoing. Hammonds-Ford’s next court hearing is scheduled for June 10.