Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis cougar memorialized through help of taxidermy
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A full circle moment for a cougar that left a lasting impression on Minneapolis’ Lowry Hill neighborhood in 2023.
Its rare presence was captured on several ring cameras before it met an unfortunate fate on Interstate 394.
Cougar to be on display in Kenwood neighborhood
What we know:
You may remember this cougar, it made headlines for strolling through the Lowry Hill neighborhood. Shortly after the sighting, it was hit by a vehicle on I-394. The community raised money to have it taxidermied in Grand Rapids.
“When I received the Lion it was frozen and whole. And so because it was such a large animal, it took a while for that to thaw and then I had to skin it,” said Taxidermist Meadow Kouffeld.
Preparing the cougar
What it took:
Kouffeld has been working hard to have the big cat be ready by the end of April, and she had to get creative about it.
“This is actually that Lion’s skull. A lot of people think this is what is underneath the skin. But the reality is, it’s a foam sculpture,” said Kouffeld.
Putting the cougar together
What the experts say:
To get the mountain lion in this shape took lots of work. It wasn’t something that took a day or week.
“I actually spent 24 hours the weekend I mounted the lion just working on the lion. From shaving the forum and prepping it,” said Kouffeld.
Then the hard part, finding eyes for it. Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine made it difficult to get ones that match the cougar.
“A lot of our really good glass and Pollyeyes come from that region of the world, so they’ve become increasingly difficult to get,” said Kouffeld.
The taxidermist adds, there’s only been three cougars killed on the roadway since 2008. So this is something rare.
What’s next
Timeline:
The Lowry Hill cougar will be unveiled at the Kenwood Rec Center on April 26.
Minneapolis, MN
City officials report less speeding at corners with traffic cameras in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis man sentenced to nearly 30 years for murder of Deshaun Hill
A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to murdering a high school student in 2022 was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison on Monday.
It was the second time Cody Fohrenkam was sentenced for fatally shooting 15-year-old Deshaun Hill. He was convicted and sentenced to more than 38 years in prison in February 2023, but the Minnesota Court of Appeals later reversed the conviction and granted him a retrial based on illegally obtained incriminating statements.
Fohrenkam, 33, agreed to a plea deal as his second trial was set to start, pleading guilty to one count of second-degree intentional murder in exchange for Monday’s 340-month sentence. The judge presiding over the hearing gave him credit for 1,476 days already served.
Fohrenkam shot and killed Hill while Hill was walking to a bus stop just blocks from Minneapolis North High School, where Hill was a star quarterback and honor roll student.
One of Hill’s aunts said in a statement shortly before the judge sentenced Fohrenkam that her nephew was “full of life.”
“When he spoke, you listened. He had a soft spirit and a good heart,” she said. “Deshaun was an artist who, as you all know, he took his education seriously. He had dreams and goals. He worked hard to make his family proud.”
This story will be updated.
Minneapolis, MN
Man on Conditional Release Now Charged in Minneapolis Murder — MNCRIME.com
A man is now charged with murder after prosecutors say a robbery inside a Minneapolis apartment building ended in a fatal shooting.
Prosecutors say the man was on conditional release after being charged with first-degree armed carjacking for an incident in Minneapolis last September.
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The killing happened Feb. 24 inside the Abbott Apartments lounge area on the 100 block of East 18th Street, where police found an adult man dead from gunshot wounds after reports of a shooting.
Court documents state the victim and a friend went to the building to meet 20-year-old Abdirahman Khayre Khayre. A witness stated Khayre left the room several times and appeared to be stalling before three armed men entered and demanded property. The men were described as carrying two Glock-style handguns with extended magazines and an AR-style rifle. During the robbery, the suspects demanded a Louis Vuitton bag belonging to the victim. When the victim resisted, a struggle broke out. The witness stated that two guns were taken from him during the robbery.
The witness told investigators Khayre was handed one of the stolen guns and then pointed it at him, causing him to flee into the lobby. Moments later, multiple gunshots were heard. The witness returned and found the victim shot. Surveillance footage from other areas of the building reportedly corroborated key parts of the account, and the witness later identified Khayre in a photo lineup, according to the complaint.
PREVIOUSLY: Man Shot and Killed Inside Minneapolis Apartment Building
Authorities say Khayre was on conditional release at the time of the killing in a separate Hennepin County case involving a September 2025 armed carjacking.
READ MORE > Minneapolis coverage
In that earlier case, prosecutors alleged Khayre and others confronted a woman in a garage near 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue, pointed handguns at her and forced her to give up the keys to a Dodge Challenger before fleeing in the stolen vehicle. Officers later located the vehicle and arrested multiple suspects, including Khayre, who was identified as the driver.
Court records show Khayre posted a $75,000 non-cash bond and was released under conditions requiring him to remain law-abiding, have no possession of firearms or ammunition, avoid alcohol and controlled substances and complete treatment.
Khayre is now charged with second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony and first-degree aggravated robbery. He made an initial court appearance Friday, where a judge set bail at $1 million. If convicted of second-degree felony murder, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
The homicide investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim. Anyone with information is asked to contact Minneapolis police by emailing policetips@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-5845. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online. Information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.
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