MPD officer shot Friday night is expected to recover

Police patrolled the area for a suspect near the crash site at 21st and Upton avenues.  Photo by Azhae’a Hanson

By Azhae’la Hanson, Reporter 

A Minneapolis police officer was shot near Colfax Avenue North near Webber Parkway Friday night, setting off a chase that ended in a crash near 21st and Upton avenues. 

MPD Chief Brian O’Hara said the officer, a seven-year member of the force, was taken to North Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound to the shoulder and was stable.
The shooting happened around 9:15 p.m. Several squad cars began blocking off the area near 21st and Upton around 9:30 pm. 

“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,” O’Hara said in a statement. “We are extremely thankful and relieved that this officer is still with us. ”

According to police reports, the injured officer spotted a vehicle that matched the description of a vehicle involved in a robbery in Brooklyn Park. Minneapolis police tried to stop the vehicle near 33rd and Oliver Avenues. The injured officer was following the vehicle near the 4300 block of Colfax Avenue North when shots were fired at the officer's vehicle.  The officer drove to the intersection of Webber Parkway and Fremont Avenue North where he was met by officers who transported him to the hospital. 

A resident nearby, Tasha Washington, witnessed a car speeding down Vincent Avenue,  followed by several squad cars. 

“What we know so far is that the police were on a high-speed chase pursuing a truck. And there were five (individuals) in the truck,” Washington said. “And I don't know how it happened but long story short, there were shots exchanged and the police officer ended up getting hit. He's at North Memorial.”

Officers initially patrolled the area for a suspect that got away and was presumed an active shooter. It was confirmed by police that four suspects – two men, one woman and a teen-aged boy –  are currently in custody but it is still unclear if there were four of five total in the vehicle. A gun was recovered from the suspect’s vehicle, according to the MPD statement. 

The two men and the boy were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center with unspecified, non-life-threatening injuries

Representatives of the violence intervention program, A Mothers Love, also arrived to respond near Upton.