Prosecutors: Off-duty St. Paul firefighter knew one of the men charged in his murder

Tom Harrigan worked for the St. Paul Fire Department.
Thomas Harrigan, an off-duty firefighter, was found shot at his home on Sept. 2.
Courtesy of St. Paul Firefighters Local 21

Ramsey County prosecutors said Monday Thomas Harrigan, 36, was killed after an argument with two men in his St. Paul home.

According to the criminal charges, Blake Deshaun Caraway, 36 and his older brother Dontay Caraway, 39, confronted the off-duty St. Paul firefighter on the evening of Sept. 2.

The charges say Dontay had been living in Harrigan’s home but was kicked out on Sept. 1 for allegedly stealing from another person who lived in the house. And prosecutors say Dontay was angry at Harrigan because he kept Dontay’s phone.

A witness told police she saw the man later identified as Blake pull a gun and shoot Harrigan once. Another witness told police he saw Harrigan trying to run from the kitchen when he was shot.

Police say both men fled the state after the shooting. Blake Caraway was arrested last Friday in Florida. Dontay Caraway was arrested the same day in Oklahoma. The brothers face multiple counts of second-degree murder.

Harrigan was a decorated veteran who served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. His father told MPR News Harrigan was to be buried on Sept. 11.

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