BCA names officer in fatal Austin police shooting

State investigators on Tuesday released the name of the police officer who fatally shot a man last week in Austin, Minn. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says Austin police officer Zachary Gast shot 38-year-old Kokou Christopher Fiafonou after a lengthy standoff.

According to an earlier statement from Chief David McKichan, police responded to a call last Wednesday about a man walking in traffic with a machete.

Officers tried to negotiate with Fiafonou and followed him into a home. Police say they used Tasers, foam rounds and pepper gas.

Twenty-four hours later, officers followed Fiafonou as he left the home and walked to a gas station, where he allegedly confronted police with a knife.

Michelle Gross with Communities United Against Police Brutality said Sunday that she'd been in contact with Fiafonou's family and learned that he was having a mental health crisis.

The BCA says Austin police do not use body cameras, but parts of the incident were captured on squad car video.

Volume Button
Volume
Now Listening To Livestream
MPR News logo
On Air
MPR News