Man dies after exchanging gunfire with Minneapolis police; BCA investigating
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Updated: 1:30 p.m.
Minneapolis police say a man died after exchanging gunfire with officers at a home in northeast Minneapolis on Tuesday evening.
Community Safety Commissioner Cedric Alexander said officers were called to the home on the 3400 block of 5th Street Northeast shortly before 5:30 p.m. after a 911 caller hung up. He said an officer exchanged gunfire with a man in his 50s, who police believe later shot himself.
When police arrived, Alexander said people inside the house motioned them to the back door. When they entered the home, announcing their presence, he said one officer was “confronted by an adult male pointing a gun at him.”
Gunfire was exchanged between the officer and man before the officer moved outside, Alexander said. Moments later, he said, people inside the house informed the officer that the man had shot himself.
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Alexander said the information they have on the shooting death is preliminary. He couldn’t immediately account for how many shots were fired, who fired first or whether the man was already injured when they believe he shot himself.
If police have guns pointed at them or are shot at, Alexander said they’re “within their right” to fire back.
“They followed procedure,” Alexander said. “Their training was impeccable in terms of their response.”
One woman and two children were led out of the house by police. The man who was shot will be identified by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.
A police officer was wounded in the incident, and treated and released from a hospital. Alexander said “shrapnel” or “debris” from the gunshots likely wounded the officer, who is now on paid administrative leave.
The police officers involved were wearing body cameras that were activated. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident. Alexander said body camera footage will be released after discussions with the Minneapolis City Attorney and the BCA.