Union head: Video justifies shooting by Minn. police

MINNEAPOLIS — The head of the Minneapolis police union said Monday that body-camera footage proved two officers acted justifiably in the fatal shooting of a black man last month.

Thurman Blevins gave the officers pursuing him no other option when he ran from them June 23 while pointing a gun at the officers and firing a shot, Lt. Bob Kroll said.

“You shoot until the threat ends,” Kroll said.

The body-camera video was released late Sunday. Shortly after Kroll’s remarks, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman was set to announce whether he would charge the officers in the case when his news conference was shouted down by community members.

Blevins’ death is being investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which did not immediately respond to calls and emails Monday to check on the status of the investigation. Freeman’s opening remarks suggested the investigation was complete.

Officers Justin Schmidt and Ryan Kelly were responding to a 911 call of a man firing a gun into the air on the city’s north side June 23. The video released Sunday shows them pulling their cruiser up and Blevins seated on a curb near a woman with a child in a stroller. As the officers pull up, one says, “He’s got a gun!” Blevins jumps up and runs, as the officers yell “Stop, stop! Put your hands up! I will (expletive) shoot you!”

In a chase that takes less than a minute, Blevins yells back, “I didn’t do nothing bro,” ‘‘Please don’t shoot” and “Leave me alone.” An enhanced version of the video has a red circle drawn around Blevins’ hand to highlight what appears to be a gun.

After the chase turns down an alley, Blevins is shot, still running.

Investigators said both Kelly and Schmidt fired their weapons. An autopsy showed Blevins was shot multiple times. Investigators have not previously said that Blevins fired a shot as he fled officers.

Investigators have said the officers arrived to find Blevins sitting with a woman on a curb before he ran, carrying a black and silver gun. A gun was recovered at the scene. Some witnesses had disputed Blevins was armed, saying he was carrying a bottle or a cup. He appeared to have something in each hand when he first ran.