3 children injured after police chase ends in N. Mpls playground

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Three children were injured, two with life-threatening injuries, after an SUV crashed into a playground following a chase in north Minneapolis Monday morning. 

At 9:39 a.m., a state trooper attempted to stop a Ford Expedition on southbound Interstate 94 in Minneapolis for a traffic violation. The SUV fled and exited the freeway at 53rd Street North, continuing to flee on side streets. It ultimately crashed into a group of children at Bonhanon Park near Jenny Lind Elementary School.

A two-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl were taken to North Memorial Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. A third child, a three-year-old boy, suffered non-life threatening injuries.

"To see all this, this is mind boggling," said Minneapolis resident Raymond Campbell, who saw the suspect exit the car and flee police on foot. He was later identified as 27-year-old Kabaar Wahleen Powell of Richfield, Minnesota. 

The suspect was then apprehended by two state troopers, who sustained minor injuries during the confrontation. A gun was found in the SUV.

"They must’ve drove through the school yard, hit the tennis court, dragged the tennis pieces over here to the basketball court and must’ve hit that swing," said Campbell, who was at the park with his three grandchildren at the time of the incident. Even after a frightening morning, the trio of youngsters are still eager to play--now under the extra-watchful eyes of their grandfather. "Now I have to stand by the swing to pull [them] out the way if something happens."

The State Patrol and the Minneapolis Police Department are investigating the crash.