Knife-wielding man shot after Fridley crash dies from injuries

FRIDLEY, Minn. (KMSP) - The man who was shot following a car crash in Fridley, Minnesota Wednesday night has died, authorities say.

At 4:20 p.m., officers responded to a crash involving four vehicles at the intersection of Central Avenue North Northeast at Medtronic Parkway Northeast. Callers told authorities a man, who was involved in the crash, had a knife and was trying to assault other people involved in the crash. 

Police say as the four drivers involved in the crash were getting out of their cars to exchange information, one man began acting strange.

According to witnesses, the man, who was later identified as Simon Schiffler, 33, of Williston, North Dakota, physically pinned one driver to a passerby's vehicle and groped and attempted to kiss a woman involved in the crash. 

Schiffler then pulled out a large knife and attempted to assault another driver involved in the crash. The driver hid inside his vehicle and Schiffler began stabbing at the windows of the vehicle in an attempt to break the glass. 

Another man, who was not involved in the crash, stopped to help as Schiffler was stabbing at the other driver's window. The man was armed with a handgun.

Witnesses said Schiffler turned his attention to the other man, acting aggressively and intentionally. Authorities say the man told Schiffler to drop the knife.

"What we're told is [Schiffler] aggressively and intentionally attacked the armed citizen and the armed citizen responded by firing his weapon," said Commander Paul Sommer with the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.

Schiffler was hit multiple times by gunfire. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. 

The man with the gun stayed at the scene and has been cooperative with police. He has not been arrested. 

Fox 9 reached out to Schiffler's father by phone, but he was too upset to comment on his son's actions. Fox 9 did confirm Schiffler worked for his brother in Williston, North Dakota.

Authorities believe there may be additional witnesses to the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Anoka County sheriff's office at 763-427-1212. 

The incident remains under investigation.