Carjacker Fleeing Police Kills Two Innocent Women in Minneapolis Crash

Carjacker Fleeing Police Kills Two Innocent Women in Minneapolis Crash

MINNEAPOLIS — A violent carjacking spree in south Minneapolis ended in tragedy Thursday morning when a fleeing suspect slammed into another vehicle, killing two young women and injuring a child.

The incident began shortly after 8 a.m. on September 4, 2025, when police received reports of a man with a gun involved in a carjacking near East Lake Street and 4th Avenue South. The suspect, identified as Troy Mike Payton, 45, of St. Paul, drove erratically through the city—swerving into oncoming traffic, mounting sidewalks, and firing shots as he attempted to evade capture.

After crashing one vehicle, Payton carjacked another at gunpoint. At one point, he even circled back to retrieve three dogs from the first vehicle before continuing his flight. Two of the dogs were injured; one had to be euthanized.

Fatal Collision

Police located Payton in north Minneapolis around 8:36 a.m. and initiated a pursuit. Within minutes, his vehicle collided with another car at Penn Avenue North and Highway 55 (Olson Memorial Highway).

Inside that vehicle were Marisa Ardys Casebolt and Liberty Borg, both 25, who were killed instantly. A child, believed to be 5 or 6 years old, survived with non-life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized.

Payton was arrested at the scene and taken to North Memorial Health Hospital with non-critical injuries. A firearm was recovered from his car.

“This is a very devastating incident with heartbreaking consequences for completely innocent people,” Police Chief Brian O’Hara said. “This person clearly endangered hundreds of people’s lives in such a short period of time.”

Survivors Recount Harrowing Encounters

Several bystanders narrowly escaped becoming victims earlier in the morning.

Ashley Rauchwarter, one of the first targeted, said she fled her car when Payton pointed a gun at her.
“I was just so scared … I ran out of the car and made it to safety,” she recalled. “It’s frustrating that someone with a violent history was free to do this.”

Sarah Quast, another intended victim, said she ducked down in her car in panic when Payton approached.
“When people say this is stuff you see in movies, but it’s actually in real life—it really hits you differently,” she said.

Police Policy and Community Response

Chief O’Hara defended the department’s decision to pursue the suspect, saying officers weigh the dangers of pursuit against the potential risk to the public. Given Payton’s violent actions, he said, pursuit was necessary.

David Titus, interim executive director of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, called for tougher penalties for repeat violent offenders.
“Two innocent women are dead and a child is injured solely because of the reckless, violent actions of a criminal,” Titus said. “Enough is enough.”

MinneapoliMedia