In the early hours of August 8, 2014, Dion Darnell Nath Toney, a 27-year-old Black / African American man, was at the 400 Soundbar nightclub in downtown Minneapolis. The night took a violent turn when a gunman opened fire inside the crowded club, injuring a total of nine people. Toney sustained multiple gunshot wounds in the chaotic scene that also caught Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Linval Joseph, who was treated for a minor calf injury.
For weeks, Toney fought for his life at the Hennepin County Medical Center. However, his injuries proved to be too severe. On September 21, 2014, nearly seven weeks after the shooting, Dion Toney succumbed to complications from his wounds. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner officially ruled his death a homicide. The 400 Soundbar, which had a history of violent incidents, closed its doors permanently shortly after the shooting.
Minneapolis police immediately began a sprawling investigation, identifying as many as 52 witnesses to the nightclub shooting. Investigators stated early on that they believed the shooting was not a random act of violence. They asserted that the gunman had an intended target and that the incident was likely gang-related. Sources indicated that Toney, a suspected member of the Bogus Boys gang, was the intended victim of the attack. In the days following Toney's death, another shooting occurred that was believed to be in retaliation.
Despite recovering a firearm at the scene and having numerous witnesses, the investigation into Dion Toney's death has been met with silence in the public record. In the immediate aftermath, police reported that they were making headway in their search for the shooter. However, no suspects have ever been publicly identified or arrested in connection with the murder. The case of who shot and killed Dion Darnell Nath Toney appears to remain unsolved.
