Minneapolis cops on leave after
chase, shooting
Created On: Thursday, 05 Feb 2009, 10:06 AM CST
* Tom Halden Tom Halden
* Mike Durkin
MINNEAPOLIS - Minneapolis police officers shot and killed a car theft suspect early Thursday morning on the city's north side.
Shortly after midnight, officers were making a routine traffic stop near the intersection of Morgan Ave. N. and Golden Valley Road in Minneapolis. In a separate incident, officers were following a stolen vehicle.
The driver of the stolen car sped toward the routing traffic stop in an effort to elude police, Sgt. Jesse Garcia said. Fearing for their safety and the safety of those int he stopped car, the officers shot at the speeding suspect in an attempt to stop him.
The driver was shot and pronounced dead at the scene.
The three Minneapolis police officers involved in the incident are on paid administrative leave per department policy.
Sgt. Garcia said this is the second time since December that someone has tried to use their vehicle as a weapon against Minneapolis officers.