A fourth person identified by authorities as the suspected shooter remains in custody.
EDINA, Minn. — Three men first arrested after a fatal shooting near Southdale Mall will be released Friday after prosecutors said they lacked evidence to charge them in the death of John Stroud.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said the review is still active, but the evidence now points prosecutors toward a fourth person arrested Thursday. That suspect, identified by authorities as the suspected shooter, remains in custody while Edina police continue to build the case.
Police were called about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday to West 66th Street near Southdale Mall. Officers found Stroud with a gunshot wound and tried to save him, but he died from his injuries at the scene. Three men were arrested later Wednesday for probable cause murder as police searched the area and nearby businesses locked down.
Daniel Borgertpoepping with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said prosecutors and Edina police reviewed the evidence together. “Both our office and Edina Police are in agreement that there is not evidence at this time to support charges against the three individuals who were originally arrested,” Borgertpoepping said.
The fourth arrest came about 1:30 p.m. Thursday with help from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office West Metro Drug Task Force. Police said they believe all suspects tied to the shooting have been arrested. Officials have not released the fourth suspect’s name or described what evidence led investigators to treat that person as the suspected shooter.
The shooting caused a large law enforcement response around the 3300 block of West 66th Street. Police said the victim and the people under investigation were believed to know each other, and investigators do not believe the shooting was random. M Health Fairview and nearby businesses used lockdown procedures as a precaution while officers searched for suspects.
Prosecutors said the case involving the suspected shooter will get priority review once police formally submit it for possible charges. The release of the first three men does not close the investigation, and officials said the roles of the people first detained remain unclear.
The case stood Friday with three men set for release, one suspected shooter still jailed and no charging decision announced. Prosecutors said the next step is a formal case submission from Edina police.
Author note: Last updated April 24, 2026.