ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Ramsey County Attorney's Office has determined that two St. Paul police officers were legally justified when they shot and wounded an armed man during a December confrontation on an Interstate 94 entrance ramp, and neither officer will face criminal charges, according to a Sept. 15 announcement reported by MinneapoliMedia.
Officers Matthew Foy and Byron Treangen III shot Elliot Samuels Vaughn on Dec. 21, 2025. The decision followed an independent investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, in which investigators interviewed witnesses and examined video and physical evidence, according to the report.
The encounter began after police encountered a Buick that had been reported stolen by a rental company in Minneapolis. Authorities said officers contacted General Motors and used vehicle technology to slow and stop the Buick as it traveled from northbound Highway 52 toward westbound Interstate 94.
Prosecutors said Vaughn left the vehicle and ran, then reached into his clothing, removed a handgun and pointed it behind him toward two officers in a squad vehicle. Foy and Treangen fired, striking Vaughn in the thigh. He was taken to Regions Hospital and later booked into the Ramsey County Jail after receiving medical clearance.
Vaughn has been charged with two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and one count of motor vehicle theft. Those charges concern his alleged actions before the shooting and are separate from the county attorney's review of the officers. A criminal charge is an accusation; Vaughn is presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
The decision does not determine the outcome of any internal police review, civil lawsuit or administrative claim.
NCN has requested comment from the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.
- National Correspondent Network
