Names of 2 police officers in fatal St. Paul shooting released

Updated 9:45 p.m. | Posted 6:29 p.m.

A black man who was fatally shot by St. Paul police had pointed a gun at officers twice after he was ordered to drop it, authorities said Saturday. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension also said authorities have video from a nearby building that shows the man with a gun, but does not capture the full incident.

Cordale Quinn Handy, 29, of Waukegan, Illinois, died of multiple gunshot wounds early Wednesday after police say they were called to a report of a domestic incident that was physically violent. An attorney for Handy's family disputes the police version of events and called for an independent investigation.

"It is our understanding that the police seized cellphone video that may or may not have captured the actual shooting, and it's our understanding that Cordale never presented a threat to the officers," said family attorney Andrew M. Stroth. "It's imperative that BCA releases all video of the incident."

Stroth added that he believes authorities also seized audio of the incident.

When asked about cellphone video, Department of Public Safety spokesman Bruce Gordon said he can't discuss what additional evidence is part of the investigation. The information released Saturday by authorities makes no mention of cellphone video or audio, but notes officers were not wearing body cameras. The BCA said video and other data will be released when the case is closed.

According to the BCA, officers were responding to a domestic call at an apartment building when they encountered Handy outside with a handgun.

"After repeated commands to drop the gun, Handy pointed the weapon twice at officers," the BCA said in a statement. "Two officers fired their weapons, striking Handy. Officers located a handgun next to Handy. The handgun was kicked away by officers to secure the scene and recovered several feet away."

The officers who fired their weapons were identified Saturday as Mikko Norman and Nathaniel Younce. Both have been with St. Paul police for just over two years. Neither officer has any disciplinary action in his personnel file, and Norman has one commendation, though details about it were unavailable Saturday.

The BCA said a third officer didn't see the shooting. All three officers are on standard administrative leave.

Stroth said the narrative put forth by authorities contradicts witness accounts. When asked about the domestic incident, Stroth said: "From what we understand, Cordale was upset, but it was not a domestic incident."

There were reports of shots fired, and the BCA recovered spent shell casings inside the apartment.

The BCA said its investigation is ongoing.