On October 28, 2022, Frank Joseph Ortley, a 35-year-old Native American male, was found deceased inside a residence at 2711 15th Avenue South in Minneapolis, Minnesota. An autopsy later confirmed that Ortley had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was officially ruled a homicide. The incident, which occurred at approximately 11:25 p.m., is believed to have started as a confrontation between Ortley and another individual he knew, which then escalated into fatal gunfire.
In a
strange and complicating turn of events, a fire was reported at the same residence just hours after Ortley's body was discovered. Around 6:30 a.m. on October 29, 2022, fire crews were dispatched to the scene to find a significant blaze engulfing the front porch and first floor of the home. The fire caused extensive damage, spreading to the second level and rendering the house uninhabitable before it could be extinguished. While forensic scientists were able to process the scene of the shooting and collect evidence prior to the fire, it remains unclear if the two events are related.
As of now, the investigation into Frank Joseph Ortley's death is ongoing. Authorities have not yet publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the homicide. The Minneapolis Police Department continues to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to a break in the case. Neighbors in the area had reportedly witnessed drug-related activities near the home in the year leading up to the murder, though a direct connection to the crime has not been established by law enforcement. A reward of $10,000 has been offered for information that leads to resolving the case.
