BCA: All public data from Blevins shooting released once case is closed

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says it will not release public data from the investigation into the fatal officer-involved shooting of Thurman Blevins until the case is closed, despite Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's statement saying the body camera footage would be released once interviews with key witnesses are complete. 

The shooting took place on Saturday evening. According to a preliminary report from the BCA, Blevins, 31, was sitting with a woman near the intersection of 48th Avenue North and Camden Avenue North in Minneapolis when officers arrived. He immediately fled the scene, with police reporting he was carrying a gun. Sometime during the ensuing chase, officers fired their weapons, striking and killing Blevins. 

On Tuesday, Frey said the body camera footage captured by the officers involved will be released as soon as two things were completed: the family of Thurman Blevins must be consulted and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension must complete their interviews with key witnesses. He said the interviews with known key witnesses have already begun. 

But, the BCA said Wednesday it will release all public data once the case is closed, “as we would in any other investigation.” 

The BCA says the investigation is its “highest priority” and it will be completed as soon as possible. 

“We want to assure the community that the investigation will be conducted in a systematic and comprehensive manner in order to present a complete and accurate account of the events to the Hennepin County Attorney for review,” the BCA said in a statement. 

Full statement from the BCA