Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis man has been charged in a criminal complaint for an armed carjacking spree and illegal possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

“Let this be a lesson that we will not tolerate violent felons that prey on our community, especially those who endanger the police officers who courageously place their lives on the line in the protection of others,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. “I am thankful for the dozens of officers from multiple agencies who responded to swiftly bring this person to justice before he could cause any more harm in our community.”

United States Attorney Luger stated, “This is a snapshot of the violent acts we are seeing in the Twin Cities on a regular basis. The full force of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is focused on reducing the levels of violent crime and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to bring swift and certain accountability to violent criminals.”

“Callously putting multiple lives at risk while brandishing firearms, including at a responding law enforcement officer, it is completely unacceptable,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge William McCrary, of the St. Paul Field Division. “I appreciate the swift and decisive action of the brave agents and law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to take this man into custody and prevent further danger to the public.”

According to court documents, on January 30, 2023, in Little Canada, a Ramsey County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a Ford F150, which was later revealed to be stolen. The driver, Donovan Goodman, 33, fled the deputy, driving in the wrong lanes of traffic, above posted speed limits, and evading stop sticks. Law enforcement officers ultimately disabled the vehicle using a PIT maneuver. The driver of the vehicle—believed to be Goodman—fled the vehicle and jumped over a barrier separating the east and west lanes on Interstate 694. He approached an uninvolved vehicle, which had stopped in the westbound lanes of Interstate 694, pointed a firearm at the vehicle and yelled, “Get the [expletive] out of the car.” He then fled in the vehicle. The carjacked vehicle―which was subsequently recovered―had an installed dash camera that captured the entire incident.

On February 25, 2023, at approximately 4:23 a.m., officers with the Minneapolis Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a stolen vehicle parked in a parking lot. Goodman and another male, who were standing near the vehicle, immediately fled on foot and officers pursued. One officer deployed a taser to subdue Goodman, who initially fell to the ground, rolled over and then pointed a handgun with a red laser sight in the direction of the officer. The officer immediately took cover and Goodman escaped on foot.

Shortly thereafter, a carjacking victim flagged down responding law enforcement officers and reported that he was an Uber driver and had just picked up two passengers in downtown Minneapolis when a man approached the vehicle and offered the occupants $100 to let him join the Uber ride. One of the occupants agreed and opened the door. Once inside the vehicle, the man (later identified as Goodman) pulled out a firearm with a red laser and pointed it at the back of the driver’s head and ordered everyone out of the vehicle. The driver and the two occupants complied, and Goodman fled in the vehicle.

Later that day, after obtaining a search warrant for Goodman’s cell phone, law enforcement tracked Goodman to a residence in St. Paul. The St. Paul Police Department’s SWAT team executed a search warrant at the residence and, after law enforcement provided numerous loud commands for over an hour, Goodman exited the residence and was taken into custody.

Because Goodman has prior felony convictions, including burglary, assault, and drug sales, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

The complaint charges Goodman with possession of a firearm as a felon and carjacking. Goodman made his initial appearance today in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster. Goodman was ordered to remain in detention pending further court proceedings.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, the Minneapolis Police Department, the St. Paul Police Department, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case.

A complaint is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.