Edward Tiki Arrington, 45, has been charged with federal crimes following a carjacking spree in Minneapolis that resulted in the deaths of two women and serious injury to a child. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson announced that Arrington faces one count of carjacking and one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
According to the criminal complaint, on the morning of September 4, 2025, multiple 911 calls reported an armed man near 334 Lake Street East in Minneapolis. Arrington, also known as Troy Mike Payton, was identified as the suspect.
The incident began when Arrington drove his red SUV erratically through traffic before crashing into another vehicle at an intersection. He then attempted to carjack several vehicles at gunpoint, ultimately taking control of a black Volkswagen Passat after threatening its driver. He transferred two dogs from his original vehicle into the Passat and continued his attempt to flee.
During these events, Arrington pointed his firearm at several individuals—including drivers and a pedestrian—and fired a shot from the vehicle at a passing work van. Police issued a city-wide alert for the stolen Passat.
Minneapolis Police officers located Arrington driving the carjacked vehicle in North Minneapolis. When officers tried to stop him, he fled toward downtown Minneapolis. At Penn Avenue and Olson Memorial Boulevard, Arrington ran a red light and crashed into a blue Ford Focus sedan. The collision killed two women in their twenties and seriously injured a six-year-old child who suffered significant injuries; one victim was the child’s mother.
Arrington has prior convictions for assault and firearms offenses under state law as well as a 2009 federal conviction for possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
If convicted on these charges, Arrington faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment or potentially face the death penalty for carjacking resulting in death.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson stated: “Two young women should be alive today. Instead, their lives were cut short by a senseless crime committed by a career criminal,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “They deserved better. We all deserve better. I am weary of this endless violence. Minnesota deserves peace. We will keep fighting to restore it.”
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara commented: “This violent suspect had an extensive criminal history and showed a complete disregard for the value of human life,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “His reckless and violent actions claimed the lives of innocent people and put countless others at risk. We are grateful for the partnership with the United States Attorney’s Office as we all work to ensure that he is held fully accountable and that justice is pursued for the victims and their families to the fullest extent of the law.”
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr., added: “Two innocent young women died yesterday, and a young child was hospitalized, due to the reckless and senseless actions of Edward Tiki Arrington, aka Troy Mike Payton,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston, Sr. “Violent carjackings have permeated Minneapolis for far too long; these federal charges represent the commitment by the FBI, our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to reduce violent crime in Minnesota. The FBI will bring every resource available to ensure a safe community where its residents can thrive. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
The investigation involved collaboration between local police departments—the Minneapolis Police Department—alongside federal agencies such as the FBI and support from Minnesota State Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David B. Green is prosecuting this case.
Authorities remind that criminal complaints are allegations only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
