On December 17, 2014, Matthew Paul Maffei, 23, was found shot in the head at the Elm Creek Rest Area off Interstate 94 in Maple Grove, Minnesota. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide. Maffei had no permanent address but had ties to Kennewick, Washington, and a criminal history that included theft, burglary and assaults.

A witness reported a red SUV with Oregon plates leaving the rest area. Police located that vehicle and identified the driver as 18-year-old Johnathon Dean Mar of Kennewick. A multi-county high-speed chase followed, ending when Mar crashed on Interstate 694 in Shoreview. Mar exited the vehicle armed; officers fired and Mar died of multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators later reported Mar had a knife, was stabbing himself and then charged at officers. A Ramsey County grand jury in November 2015 later found the officers’ use of deadly force justified.

What brought both men to the rest area and what motivated the initial shooting remain unknown; anyone with information about their movements or connection is asked to come forward.