ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating an officer involved shooting which happened on Wednesday, May 24, at Bassett Creek Park in Crystal.
Four Crystal Police Department officers discharged their firearms during the incident.
- Mason Barland has been with the department for nine years
- Brian Elfstrom, four years
- Kathleen Gomez, 20 years
- Txheng Vang, three months
All four officers are on standard administrative leave. No officers were injured during the incident.
The subject has also been identified. Khaleel Thompson, 18, no permanent address, is being treated at North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale.
Just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the officers responded to a 911 call of a man with a gun at the disc golf course in Bassett Creek Park. The officers confronted the man, now identified as Thompson, demanding he drop the weapon. According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, Thompson then pointed the weapon at the officers. Officer
Barland fired non-lethal rounds. When Thompson continued to point the weapon at the officers they discharged their weapons, striking Thompson.
The officers administered first aid at the scene and Thompson was taken by ambulance to North Memorial Health Hospital where he continues to be treated.
BCA agents determined Thompson was holding a black, handgun-style airsoft gun with a black-tipped barrel.
Investigators are reviewing video of the incident captured on a squad dash camera. Officers were not wearing body cameras.
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office provided early assistance to the BCA with its investigation. The Minnesota State Patrol and New Hope Police Department initially assisted at the scene after the incident.
The BCA’s investigation into the incident is ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for review.
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