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Man killed in Minnetonka shootout identified
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner said 28-year-old Clint Hoyhtya died from multiple gunshot wounds.
MINNEAPOLIS — Officials identified the man killed during a shootout where two Hennepin County sheriff’s deputies were injured Wednesday in Minnetonka.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner said 28-year-old Clint Hoyhtya died from multiple gunshot wounds after officials say he exchanged gunfire with law enforcement while they were serving a warrant at a home Wednesday in Minnetonka. Two deputies were also injured — one was treated on scene, while the other was transported to a hospital.
The hospitalized deputy, later identified as Deputy Christopher Heihn, was released Thursday after Hennepin County sheriff’s officials confirmed he was “struck by gunfire.”
According to HCSO, Heihn has been working for Hennepin County since 2016, currently with the Enforcement Services Division. He is a 13-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and also serves on the HCSO Emergency Services Unit and as a range safety officer and firearms instructor.
In a joint press conference Wednesday, officials said deputies were executing a felony level warrant, but they didn’t specify who it was for or why they suspected that person would be at the house.
“I can tell you that no incident is the same,” Sheriff Dawanna Witt said. “I can tell you that they do their homework before they’re executing these dangerous course of their jobs.”
That day, someone else was named over police scanner traffic, and KARE 11 found that person does have multiple active arrest warrants. However, we’re not naming the individual at this time because investigators have not confirmed the information.
In the meantime, court records show a couple of years ago the homeowner, Thomas Hoyhtya, tried to evict his sister after their mother moved into an assisted living facility. Until then, records say she’d been allowed to stay there rent-free in return for caring for their mother. Eventually, an eviction request filed against the sister and two unnamed people was approved in August of 2022.
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Interstate 94 South is closed at Dowling Avenue as police investigate an overnight incident.
MINNEAPOLIS — A portion of I-94 is closed Sunday morning as officials investigate an incident that happened on Saturday night.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, all southbound traffic in the area is being directed to exit the interstate at Dowling Avenue near Minneapolis.
Officials ask the public to stay clear of the area and find an alternate route if possible.
It is unknown how long the closure will be in place.
KARE 11 will update this story when more information is released by officials.
Tonya Yarmakov, 23, was reported missing from Savanna State Park on Sept. 4.
NORTHFIELD, Minn. — On Friday night, a Minnesota college held a vigil for a woman reported missing more than two weeks ago.
St. Olaf College in Northfield hosted a candlelight vigil for 23-year-old Tonya Yarmakov, who was last seen on Sept. 4 while camping with her family in Savanna State Park near McGregor, Minnesota.
The Aikin County Sheriff’s Office said family members allegedly told authorities they left Yarmakov alone on a dock as they went fishing, and around noon, saw her get up and run away.
She is 5 feet tall and has dark brown hair. The sheriff said she was last seen wearing a rainbow tie-dyed t-shirt, gym shorts, black shoes and black headphones.
Yarmakov has autism and Type 1 diabetes, causing greater concern for her welfare, authorities said.
Officials said they’ve used drones, dogs and planes to search for the missing woman.
If you have information about Yarmakov’s current whereabouts, the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office urges you to contact them at 218-927-7435 or call 911.
Saturday’s event includes helpful resources for caregivers and anyone impacted by dementia.
MINNEAPOLIS — Thousands of people are pouring into downtown Minneapolis Saturday morning for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Twin Cities.
KARE 11’s Karla Hult is emceeing the walk – one of the largest walks in the country, with 7,000 to 10,000 people attending – along with Gabi Del Moral of Telemundo Minnesota.
“Those of us who know Alzheimer’s or another dementia, also know this disease can feel so overwhelming and isolating,” said Hult, whose dad finished his Alzheimer’s marathon in 2019.
“It’s why I’ve always cherished the Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” Hult said. “There’s just nothing like connecting with a stadium full of people who understand how it feels to live with this cruel disease. Together, we find incomparable empathy and support. Together, we find new strength to fight. And together, we find the joy that still exists during the journey.”
The event includes helpful resources for caregivers and anyone impacted by dementia.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, money raised from the event provides local support groups, classes and resources at no cost to Minnesota families. The Alzheimer’s Association is also a significant champion and supporter of critical dementia research, including research projects currently happening in Minnesota.
This year the goal is to raise $1.5M through the event.
More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – a leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide unpaid care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Minnesota alone, there are 101,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and 164,000 unpaid caregivers support them.
