Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
The Cities Blog
Brandt Williams

No criminal charges in more than a dozen officer-related deaths

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The Minneapolis police department's investigation into the officer-involved shooting death of Terrance Franklin on May 10 has been sent to a Hennepin County grand jury for review.   According to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, since 2000, there have been at least 17 deaths stemming from the actions of Minneapolis police officers.

In all these cases, the grand jury returned a ‘no bill’ ruling – meaning no criminal charges were filed against the officers.  Here are a few of those cases.

March 11, 2002 -- MPD officers shot and killed Abu Jeilani, a Somali man carrying a machete.

February 4, 2005 – Courtney Williams, a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed after police said he pointed a gun at them.

September 20, 2006 – Dominic Felder was shot and killed by two officers.

July 22, 2006 – Fong Lee was shot several times after being chased by an officer.

September 17, 2010 – David Smith died as he was subdued by two Minneapolis officers.

Even when a grand jury issues a "no bill", there still could be consequences.  In the cases of Felder and Smith combined, the city of Minneapolis paid more than $5 million in civil judgments and settlements.   After the 2000 killing by police of Barbara Schneider, a woman with bipolar disorder, the Minneapolis police department began to change its policies on how officers intervene with people experiencing mental health crises.