Police Officer Shot, Injured In North Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis police officer was released from the hospital after he was shot in the line of duty Friday evening. Three 19-year-olds and a juvenile male were arrested in the incident.

The seven-year veteran officer was shot while driving an unmarked police car and pursuing a suspect vehicle in North Minneapolis, according to police. He was transported by other officers to North Memorial Medical Center with a nonlife-threatening gunshot wound.

A video from the department shows the officer receiving praise and support from colleagues as he left the hospital.

"This incident underscores the incredible courage and bravery that all of our officers display as they don the MPD uniform in defense of our city," Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a statement.

"MPD officers put their lives on the line every day to protect each and every community member, not knowing what each day of that service may bring. We are extremely thankful and relieved that this officer is still with us. Thanks to the work of his MPD and law enforcement family, we have protected one of our own and we’ve taken four more potentially dangerous criminals off the street."

According to investigators, the officer was following a vehicle that had fled from Brooklyn Park officers the day before and that matched the description of a vehicle involved in a robbery at 36 Avenue North and Queen Avenue North.

Police tried to pull the suspect vehicle over but the driver fled, according to authorities.

The officer followed the suspect vehicle to the 4300 block of Colfax Avenue North when the police officer's squad was shot at.

The wounded officer was able to drive to Webber Parkway and Fremont Avenue North, where he was met by fellow officers who transported him to the hospital.

Other officers relocated the suspect vehicle near Lyndale Avenue North and 42nd Avenue North, but it continued to flee, according to police.

Officers and Hennepin County deputies pursued the suspect vehicle until it crashed into an unoccupied parked car near 21st Avenue and Upton Avenue North.

Four occupants — including two men, a woman, and a juvenile male — were arrested and a gun was recovered, according to police. The three males were transported to the hospital.