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Duluth Police release the identity of homicide victim

[Duluth, MN] After verifying with the Medical Examiner’s office that the family of the May 22 homicide victim has been notified, the Duluth Police Department can provide the name of the victim. Juamada Keller Anderson Jr. was a 22-year-old-man from Duluth. The Duluth Police Department would again like to offer its condolences to the victim’s family.

At a press conference this afternoon, Chief Tusken provided a sequence of events from Saturday night’s shooting to provide more details that until now had not been released.

Saturday, May 22, 2021:

7:03p.m. – Report of the shooting dispatched to the Duluth Police Department.  Duluth Police arrive on the scene and find a victim from the shooting. A crowd has formed around the victim and in the surrounding area.  Duluth Police arrest a suspect in the 100 block of East 2^rd in the #1 Alley. Police also locate a firearm.

7:42p.m. - Duluth Police issue first press release saying confirming a shooting has taken place, a suspect has been detained, a second suspect is at large, and that the public is asked to avoid the area for public safety reasons

8:12 p.m. – Duluth Police issue a second press release saying that after further investigation, Police determined that there was no additional suspect. The public is still asked to stay away from the area.

7:00 – 11:30 p.m. – Duluth Investigators search the scene for evidence and interview witnesses.  

11:30p.m. – Due to heavy rain Duluth Police leave the scene.

Sunday, May 23 –

-        Duluth Police return to the scene in the early morning to continue looking for evidence, and canvas the neighborhood for additional information from the incident the night before.

-        Duluth Police issue a third press release reporting that the victim has died and that they cannot provide his name until next of kin has been notified. The release also states that the investigation is open and active.

-        Duluth Investigators become aware of a secondary shooting event from video surveillance. The video shows that as the suspect is fleeing the scene, one if not two shooters begin shooting at the suspect.

Monday, May 24 –

-        Investigation continues

-        Duluth Police Department issues a fourth press release with a statement from Chief Tusken offering condolences to the victim’s family. The release also said that additional information could not be provided and, that doing so would impede the investigation.

Tuesday, May 25 –

Morning – St. Louis County Attorney’s Office issued warrants for the release of 25-year-old Laurel Larice Ladd Jr. and 31-year-old Markus Seville Morris.

3:00p.m. – The Duluth Police Department holds a press conference to provide details behind why more information had not been provided to the public or media regarding this case.

“We delayed releasing information on the investigation because the incident changed from being a single victim and single suspect to multiple suspects in a short period,” Chief Tusken said. “We are asking for the public’s help in providing any information that you have if you were in the area on Saturday night. If you saw something, say something. Even if you don’t think it's significant, it could be significant to us.”

If you are a public member and have information, please contact the Duluth Police Department Violent Crimes Task Force at 218-730-5050.

This incident remains an open and active investigation.

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