ST. PAUL – The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man who died during an officer use-of-force incident on March 4 in Stillwater. The medical examiner determined that Okwan Rahmier Sims, 21, of Stillwater died of multiple gunshot wounds.
As part of its active investigation, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the Stillwater police officer who used force during this incident.
Officer Justin Dowley fired his service rifle. He has seven years of law enforcement experience. He is on standard administrative leave
A second officer is also on leave. It's unclear at this time whether he fired his service weapon.
According to the initial investigation, on March 4, Felicia Harris went to the apartment where Sims lived. Harris told BCA agents Sims came out of his room with a gun and started shooting at her, striking her at least once. Just before 2:30 p.m., 911 calls started coming in from people reporting gun shots in the apartment building.
Officers from the Stillwater and Oak Park Heights Police Departments and deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office responded and started looking for the shooter, later identified as Sims. When Dowley and the second officer located Sims, there was an exchange of gunfire during which Sims was struck. Officers provided lifesaving care until Sims could be taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
BCA crime scene personnel recovered a handgun at the scene along with several extended magazines and dozens of 9mm shell casings. Many of the officers involved were wearing body cameras that captured portions of the incident. Dowley was not wearing his body camera. He was not supposed to start his shift until 3 p.m. that day and had not yet put on his camera. BCA agents are reviewing all available video as part of the ongoing investigation. It will be available to the public once the case is closed and fully adjudicated. Forensic scientists are also actively working to determine whether the second officer fired. If it's determined that he did, the BCA will release his name.
The Stillwater Police Department asked the BCA to investigate this incident. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without a charging recommendation to the Washington County Attorney's Office for review.
The BCA Force Investigations Unit is actively investigating this incident. Learn more about the FIU here.
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