Minneapolis Police Shoot, Kill Man Saturday: Protest Planned

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating after Minneapolis police shot and killed a man Saturday evening. Authorities say the man was armed.

Just before 5:30 p.m. an anonymous 911 caller reported someone walking around the 4700 block of Bryant Avenue North shooting off a handgun into the air and into the ground. The caller provided a detailed description of the suspect and his clothing, police said.

A second caller said the suspect was shooting a silver colored 9 mm handgun.

Officers arrived in the area and chased the suspect. The foot chase ended in shots being fired. The armed suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

The BCA was called in and will handle the complete investigation.

Mayor Jacob Frey reacts

"I want to offer words that can help ease the pain that people in every neighborhood of our city feel tonight," Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement.

Frey confirmed the involved officers’ body cameras were on and activated.

"But at the same time, I must recognize that whatever words I come up with will fall short of that goal," he added.

"Regardless of what happened tonight – too many times, people from across Minneapolis and the Twin Cities have been stung by the pain of a life lost in the course of an encounter with law enforcement. Regardless of what happened tonight – the historical trauma inflicted on communities of color is never far from nearly every facet of our lives."

NAACP calls for "full transparency," release of footage

"Thurman Blevins, an African American man, was shot and skilled by Minneapolis Police Officers in North Minneapolis," the NAACP said Saturday.

"There were eye witnesses that stated he was killed while running away from the officers. The witnesses say that he was sitting on the curb with his girlfriend and baby. The cup that he was drinking can still be seen at the scene."

"There are still a lot of unanswered questions. We are asking for full transparency and that the footage from the body cameras be released."

Protest planned

Black Lives Matters is among the groups hosting a protest over the shooting Sunday afternoon.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at (651) 793-7000.

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