Footage Of St. Paul Police Shooting Of 'Suicidal' Woman Released

ST. PAUL, MN — The St. Paul Police Department Friday released excerpts of body-worn camera footage from the deadly police shooting inside a home Monday.

Police responded Monday evening to the report of a suicidal woman who pointed a firearm at officers when they arrived, according to state investigators.

St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry said: "Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Pepsi Lee Heinl. No one wanted this to happen; not the families or our officers. This is a tragedy that will stay with all of them for the rest of their lives."

Mayor Melvin Carter said: "Any time our officers respond to an emergency, they seek the safest outcome possible. I am grateful for their quick response in coming to the aid of a neighbor in crisis, and responding to a situation that could have been even more deadly. We hold our police to the highest standard of accountability and transparency, which is why we are releasing the body-worn camera footage immediately after the family had the opportunity to review it."

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension — investigating the incident — identified three St. Paul police officers who used their weapons.

They are all on critical incident leave, authorities said:

• Chiking Chazonkhueze fired his department handgun. He has three-and-a-half years of law enforcement experience.
• Chee Lao fired his department handgun. He has three months of law enforcement experience.
• Yengkong Lor fired his department handgun. He has three years of law enforcement experience.

According to the BCA's preliminary investigation, at 7:19 p.m., St. Paul police officers responded to a home on reports of a suicidal woman.

When police arrived, the woman’s mother called them into a back room of the home, according to investigators. They saw Heinl sitting on the floor and asked her if she needed help, the BCA said.

Heinl "rapidly reached under a blanket, pulled out a handgun, stood up and pointed it at the officers," according to authorities. Chazonkhueze, Lao, and Lor fired their handguns at her, striking her multiple times, the BCA said.

The officers attempted to provide life-saving care but Heinl died at the scene, according to officials.