Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (trfnews.i234.me)—On January 13, 2025, at approximately 11 p.m., a St. Paul police officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Impala near Central Avenue and Chatsworth Street due to a speeding violation. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Samuel Cal Flowers of St. Paul, did not comply and fled the scene at high speed.
A secondary officer located the Impala near Dale Street and Central Avenue. Upon attempting another stop at Ravoux Street and Fuller Avenue, Flowers again evaded as additional units approached.
The pursuit proceeded westbound on St. Anthony Avenue near Western Street, during which Flowers allegedly discharged multiple rounds from a Ruger AR-556 rifle at the pursuing officer. The officer observed muzzle flashes and the shattering of the vehicle’s rear window but did not return fire. No injuries to officers or civilians were reported.
The chase concluded when Flowers’ vehicle collided with a parked Chevrolet Silverado on the 800 block of Fuller Avenue. Post-collision, Flowers attempted to leave the scene on foot but was apprehended promptly. Officers recovered a stolen Ruger AR-556 rifle loaded with armor-piercing ammunition from the Impala, along with 14 spent shell casings inside the vehicle.
Flowers was transported to Regions Hospital for evaluation following the crash. After medical clearance, he was booked into the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center. Charges filed against him include attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault for use of deadly force against a peace officer, fleeing police, possession of a firearm by an ineligible person, possession of a stolen firearm, and fifth-degree drug possession.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the Ruger AR-556 rifle had been reported stolen in 2018 in Minneapolis. Additionally, suspected cocaine was found in Flowers’ possession at the time of arrest.
Prosecutors are seeking $10 million bail. Flowers’ initial court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, January 16, 2025.
Flowers has a prior criminal record, including a 2017 conviction for first-degree assault related to a 2016 incident where he shot an individual multiple times during a dispute. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and was released in March 2024 under intensive supervised release. Shortly after his release, Flowers was charged with a weapons violation in an unrelated case.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me