Minneapolis man charged with murder in downtown shooting

A Minneapolis man was charged with murder and attempted murder in a downtown shooting, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.

James David Wren, 35, was charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in the shooting that left one man dead and a second man permanently paralyzed.

Wren is expected to make his first court appearance Thursday afternoon. Prosecutors are seeking bail of $1 million.

According to the criminal complaint, police were responding to a fight about 2:15 a.m. Monday in a parking lot on Hennepin Avenue near Augie's nightclub when they heard multiple gunshots.

A tow truck driver witnessed the shooting and pointed out the fleeing suspect and a police officer chased and captured Wren, the complaint states.

The tow truck driver was working and sitting in the driver's seat in the truck in the alley by the parking lot. He saw Wren walk by his truck with a black handgun and stop by the hood of the truck, according to the complaint.

Wren fired several shots at a group of people until his gun jammed. Wren bent over by the tow truck driver’s door trying to clear the jam, the complaint states. when that failed, he ran.

Investigators reviewed surveillance video which showed Wren getting into a fight with the victims in the parking lot. He eventually leaves but returns a short time later with the gun and fires at close range, according to the complaint. Police were unable to find the gun.

Wren Criminal Complaint (PDF)