MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police shot and killed a man Wednesday who they say was wielding a handgun and threatening people.
Authorities received an evening call about a man in south Minneapolis with a gun who was “threatening folks” and “not acting normally,” Police Chief Brian O’Hara told reporters after the shooting. Officers were dispatched to the area and when they encountered the man, he took off on foot, police said.
Multiple officers gave chase before a confrontation ensued, O’Hara said. The man was instructed to drop his gun multiple times before officers fired, he said.
“All the information I have available to me, I have no reason to think this is anything other than a justifiable and lawful use of force by police officers,” O’Hara said.
The man was brought to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police did not immediately identify him.
The episode marked the first fatal law enforcement shooting in Minneapolis since Officer Jamal Mitchell was shot and killed May 30 in what police have described as an ambush. The man who shot Mitchell was later killed by police.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the state agency that examines most police shootings, said it is investigating Wednesday’s shooting.
On Sunday evening, the Minneapolis Police Department responded to a call about a man allegedly carrying a gun in a residential neighborhood. The situation quickly escalated, resulting in the man being shot and killed by officers.
According to police reports, officers arrived at the scene and encountered the man, who was armed with a handgun. The officers repeatedly ordered the man to drop his weapon, but he refused to comply. In response, the officers fired their weapons, fatally injuring the man.
The incident has sparked outrage and controversy in the community, with many questioning the use of lethal force by law enforcement. Some witnesses have claimed that the man was not posing a direct threat to the officers at the time of the shooting, while others have defended the officers’ actions, citing the potential danger of an armed individual in a residential area.
The Minneapolis Police Department has launched an investigation into the shooting, as is standard procedure in cases involving officer-involved shootings. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
This incident highlights the complex and often contentious nature of police interactions with individuals who are believed to be armed. While law enforcement officers are trained to use lethal force as a last resort, situations like these can quickly escalate and result in tragic outcomes.
As the investigation into this shooting continues, it is important for the community to come together and engage in constructive dialogue about how best to address issues of gun violence and police accountability. By working together, we can strive towards a safer and more just society for all.
