BCA investigating officer-involved shooting in north Minneapolis, 1 dead
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating an officer-involved shooting that left one man dead Saturday evening in north Minneapolis.
According to Minneapolis Police spokesperson John Elder, police received a call at 5:26 p.m. from an anonymous caller who reported a man walking around with a gun in the area of the 4700 block of Bryant Avenue North. The caller "provided very detailed information about the appearance and descriptions."
Police received a second call of a person walking and firing a silver 9mm handgun into the air and subsequently into the ground. Officers arrived and a footchase ensued, ending in shots fired at the suspect.
The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
“These obviously are very dynamic situations. They can cause certainly folks in the community to feel trauma. We are trying to provide to our community members as we receive it, and so that transparency and open communication is going to be very important,” Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said.
RELATED: Mayor Frey, Chief Arradondo respond to officer-involved shooting
According to Chief Arradondo, the two officers were wearing body cameras and they were on and activated.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave as the BCA continues the investigation.
Mayor Frey announced he will not be participating in the annual Pride Parade, writing, "My attention and work this morning will be on last night’s shooting. As soon as I am able, I will be joining the community to mourn, to listen, and to provide support."
Meanwhile, protesters made an appearance at the annual pride parade, voicing outrage over the latest officer-involved shooting.
Statement from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey:
“I want to offer words that can help ease the pain that people in every neighborhood of our city feel tonight. But at the same time, I must recognize that whatever words I come up with will fall short of that goal.
“Regardless of what happened tonight – too many times, people from across Minneapolis and the Twin Cities have been stung by the pain of a life lost in the course of an encounter with law enforcement. Regardless of what happened tonight – the historical trauma inflicted on communities of color is never far from nearly every facet of our lives.
“Tonight we grieve as our memories are stirred by a now too familiar feeling – by the loss of someone’s son, brother, friend, and neighbor.
“Events of the past several years, and now tonight, have tested our city in ways that are new to some neighborhoods but are all familiar for others. Strained relations between law enforcement officials and the communities they serve – especially communities of color – have exacted a toll on the very soul of our city, our region, and this nation.
“My heart is heavy knowing that tonight in Minneapolis, we mark the beginning of another chapter in a painful history. In the days ahead I will continue working with Chief Arradondo to gather all the facts and take action as necessary.
“The facts that we currently have are limited. But here is what we know now: This afternoon there was an officer-involved shooting, during which a man was killed. The officers arrived on the scene in response to two 9-1-1 calls indicating that a man was firing a silver 9mm handgun. The victim was armed, and the case has been referred to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) for investigation.
“At the end of the day, we know that no matter what transpired in the moments leading up to the shooting, we know with certainty that the outcome is a tragedy. To everyone hurting tonight: I’m sorry.”