On the evening of December 16, 2020, Jeffery Adam Mintz, a 55-year-old White / Caucasian male, was driving his Toyota Prius through Saint Paul, Minnesota, working as an Uber Eats driver to make ends meet. A former attorney with a background in law and business, he had turned to the delivery service after his own company failed to launch. At approximately 10 p.m., while near the intersection of University and Snelling Avenues, a shot was fired from another vehicle, striking him.
Despite his severe injury, Mintz was able to call 911 to report that he had been shot.
When police officers arrived, they found his car had come to rest after crashing into a bus shelter. Mintz was inside, suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders administered aid at the scene before rushing him to Regions Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries about two hours later. His death was the 32nd homicide in St. Paul that year. He was a father of two who was excitedly looking forward to his daughter's wedding, which was scheduled to take place in less than two weeks. Beyond his professional life, Mintz was a man with a deep passion for music, known for singing in bands and hosting karaoke. He was also an active member of his community, having previously served as the president of B'nai Israel Synagogue in Rochester.
The investigation into the seemingly random and senseless killing of a man police described as a "truly innocent victim" has been ongoing. As of late 2022, no arrests have been made in the case. Preliminary information led investigators to believe the shooter was in another vehicle. Police later released an image of a suspect vehicle, identified as a Dodge minivan, which was seen fleeing westbound on University Avenue immediately following the shooting. In an effort to generate new leads, Crime Stoppers of Minnesota and the victim's family have offered a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest of the person responsible for his death.
