Tragic Carjacking in Minneapolis Results in Fatalities
A “career criminal” is facing federal charges in Minnesota following an alarming series of events that led to an armed carjacking on Thursday morning. According to prosecutors, the incident tragically resulted in the deaths of two women in their twenties and left a 6-year-old boy seriously injured.
Edward Tiki Arlington, 45, also known as Troy Mike Payton, reportedly attempted several carjackings, successfully executing at least one. Authorities say he was driving a black Volkswagen Passat while causing a high-speed police chase through North Minneapolis around 8 a.m.
At one moment, officers attempted to close in on Arlington, but he evaded them and sped towards downtown Minneapolis.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Arlington recklessly ran through a red light at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Olson Memorial Boulevard, colliding with a legitimate vehicle — a blue Ford Focus. The impact led to the deaths of Marisa Aliz Casebolt and Liberty Borg, both 25-year-old women from Minneapolis. The 6-year-old boy, who was in the back seat, suffered severe injuries, including bilateral femoral fractures and traumatic brain injuries. Notably, one of the women who died was a mother.
Joseph Thompson, a lawyer representing the families, expressed his outrage: “These two young women should still be here today. Their lives were cut short by needless violence from career criminals. We all deserve better, and I’m fed up with this ongoing cycle of violence. Minnesota deserves peace, and we’ll keep fighting for it.”
Following the initial carjacking, Arlington allegedly returned to the SUV he had been driving earlier, moving his two dogs to the Passat. He then pointed his gun at a driver of a black Jeep before targeting a pedestrian, aiming the weapon at her as well.
Surveillance footage obtained by prosecutors displays Arlington pointing his gun during one of these attempted carjackings on East Lake Street, Minneapolis.
Reports state that Arlington forcibly grabbed the pedestrian’s hand, demanding to know if she had a gun, before releasing her and returning to the Passat. He reportedly sped off after firing a shot from the vehicle.
Arlington has a significant criminal record, which includes state convictions for assault and firearm-related offenses, along with a federal conviction from 2009 for drug-related charges. He is charged federally with one count of carjacking and using a firearm during a violent crime. If found guilty, he faces a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison, potentially up to life. The specifics of carjackings could even lead to the death penalty.
Moreover, Arlington is facing additional charges in Hennepin County District Court for fleeing from police multiple times.
The Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed grave concern regarding the incident, emphasizing the serious risk such criminals pose to the public: “The suspect has a long history of violent behavior and shows a blatant disregard for human life. His reckless actions have taken innocent lives and endangered many others. We’re grateful for our collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue justice for the victims and their families.”
On a more personal note, GoFundMe pages have been established to assist Casebolt’s loved ones, indicating that she leaves behind a partner and two young children, ages two and nine months. A friend noted that Marisa was a devoted mother who now must navigate life without her. In a tragic twist, Borg had recently shared a joyful photo on Facebook celebrating her son’s first day of first grade, a bittersweet reminder of the lives cut short.
