June 10 – AUSTIN, Minnesota – The Austin Police Department is searching for a vehicle believed to have been used in a drive-by shooting Friday night, June 9, 2023.
Investigators have been looking for a 2015 Dodge Durango with Minnesota JAG300 plate for some time, according to a press release.
Officers are also looking for two people believed to be in Durango at the time of the shooting: Cham Oman, 28, of Austin, and Manamany Abella, 23, of Austin. Investigators believe Oman was driving the Durango and Abella was a passenger.
Both individuals are considered armed and dangerous, the press release said. Contact the Austin Police Department at 507-437-9400 or dial 911 for information.
Officers responded to an initial call at 10:40 p.m. Friday about a car that crashed into a home at 701 Fourth St. N in Austin. A deceased man and two injured passengers were inside the car, according to the press release.
Upon further investigation, officers learned that prior to the crash, five people entered the car in the 700 block of Second Street Northwest when the Durango approached the car and a person in inside began to fire.
The victim’s car began to roll, according to the press release, and eventually crashed into the house.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is withheld pending family notifications.
Two passengers were shot and injured. The two were first taken to Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin. The female victim was transported to Mayo Clinic Hospital-St. Marys by Mayo One, while the male victim was taken by ambulance to St. Marys. Both are in serious but stable condition, the statement said.
The other two passengers left the scene. Investigators fear they were also injured, the statement said.
Investigators believe the shooting was a targeted incident and no available information indicates there is a threat to the public.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Arrest assists Austin police, as well as crime scene personnel and the Minnesota Department of Corrections.