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Brandt Williams
MINNEAPOLIS

Stiffer charges in SWAT officer assault case

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A Minneapolis police officer accused of assaulting a man at an Andover restaurant last month is now facing a more serious charge.

The Anoka County attorney's office has increased the charge against 47-year-old David Clifford from third-degree to first-degree assault.

Last month, Clifford, a member of the Minneapolis Police Department's SWAT team, allegedly punched and seriously injured Brian Vander Lee. According to a statement from the county attorney's office, Vander Lee has undergone two separate surgeries on his head to address bleeding on his brain. The complaint against Clifford was amended to reflect the seriousness of the injury of Vander Lee.

Minneapolis police say an internal investigation of Clifford is ongoing, but wouldn't comment further.

Clifford's next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.