Minneapolis man charged with murder in Whittier bus stop shooting

A Minneapolis man was charged with murder in a shooting that occurred December 21, 2022, at a bus stop in the Whitter neighborhood of Minneapolis, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.

Jose Cippirno Dominguez, 18, was charged with second degree intentional murder in the shooting that left one person dead. Mr. Dominguez is in custody and expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.

“This case is the result of excellent police work that would not have been possible without a quick response and persistence by the officers and investigators involved,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “We are now able to seek accountability for the person responsible and justice for the victim’s family.”

According to the criminal complaint, investigators and assisting officers located video capturing nearly all portions of the incident after canvassing nearby businesses and residences. Video showed Mr. Dominguez enter the bus shelter a short time after exiting a bus at the stop and exchange words with the victim. Seconds later, Mr. Dominguez pulled out a firearm and shot the victim in the head. Defendant then fled the bus shelter while passersby called 911. Officers were able to use a canine to follow his path for several blocks and in the direction of Mr. Dominguez’s nearby home.

Bus video and bus records documented that Defendant paid for his bus ride immediately preceding the murder with a bus pass issued in his name. During an interview with investigators, Mr. Dominguez provided investigators with his bus pass, which he took from a distinctive wallet. The bus pass was the same one that was used by the shooter immediately preceding the murder.

Surveillance video from the days and weeks before and after the murder show Mr. Dominguez pulling his bus card from the same distinctive wallet that he had when investigators spoke with him. Clothing consistent with what was worn by the shooter was also recovered from Mr. Dominguez’s residence, including a black Carhart jacket, a black face mask with writing on one side, black boots, and black pants.

Investigators also located Mr. Dominguez’s distinctive wallet.

Click here to view the criminal complaint.