St. Paul crime and public safety reporter

Mara Gottfried

Mara Gottfried has been a Pioneer Press reporter since 2001, mostly covering public safety. Gottfried lived in St. Paul as a young child and returned to the Twin Cities after graduating from the University of Maryland. You can reach her at 651-228-5262.

Axel Henry backed by other law enforcement leaders.

Police chief: Even off-duty cops in Minnesota are being stopped by ICE agents

January 21, 2026 at 11:10 a.m.

Local law enforcement leaders acknowledged the need for immigration enforcement at a Tuesday news conference, but they're concerned people, including their own cops, are being profiled.

St. Paul man wanted in fatal shooting arrested at Toronto airport

December 18, 2025 at 5:51 p.m.

He's charged in the death of Shaniya D. Thompson, 29, who was found deceased in her apartment Friday.

The side of a St. Paul Police Department squad car.

Police: Student, 14, found with gun as year starts at Minnesota high school

September 5, 2025 at 7:37 a.m.

The incident happened as law enforcement has increased their presence around schools in St. Paul and Minneapolis after a shooting last week as Annunciation Catholic School students celebrated Mass in...

Police: Student, 14, found with gun as year starts at Minnesota high school

October 30, 2025 at 4:21 p.m.

Flowers against a wall with a police officer in the background.

‘Heroic action’: Teachers and older students protected children in Minneapolis school shooting

August 28, 2025 at 10:02 a.m.

The suspect killed two and wounded 17 people before dying by suicide in the back of the church, said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.

‘Heroic action’: Teachers and older students protected children in Minneapolis school shooting

October 30, 2025 at 4:39 p.m.

The suspect killed two and wounded 17 people before dying by suicide in the back of the church, said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.

Charges: Man who shot MN legislators announced himself as officer

October 30, 2025 at 5:15 p.m.

He was dressed as an officer and driving a police-style vehicle, criminal complaint says.

Suspect in Twin Cities legislator shootings to appear in federal court

October 30, 2025 at 5:16 p.m.

While more info on federal charges is expected later, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office has announced they'll seek first-degree murder charges against him.

Vance Boelter with his hands behind his back.

Suspect in Twin Cities legislator shootings to appear in federal court

June 16, 2025 at 11:55 a.m.

While more info on federal charges is expected later, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office has announced they'll seek first-degree murder charges against him.

Suspect in legislators’ shootings listed as security director for Minnesota company

October 30, 2025 at 5:14 p.m.

“We are aware of the connections … certainly an individual will have some familiarity if that’s the line of work they are in … we will be exploring that.”

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