MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A Minneapolis police officer shot and wounded a robbery suspected Monday afternoon after the suspect fled a traffic stop and ran through people’s yards armed with a shotgun, authorities said.
Police were conducting surveillance on the suspect, who is connected with multiple armed robberies in Minneapolis and other cities, at around 4:45 p.m., when officers pulled the car the suspect was riding in over. Police pulled the car over near the 3000 block of Thomas Avenue North, where the suspect got out of the car and fled on foot with a shotgun, authorities said.
Sgt. Stephen McCarty of Minneapolis Police said the suspect then ran east through people’s yards, and police gave chase. Near the alley between Thomas Avenue North and Sheridan Avenues North, police told the suspect to drop the shotgun. The suspect refused, and an officer shot the suspect.
The suspect suffered non-life-threatening wounds and was transported to a nearby hospital. Authorities recovered the shotgun from the scene.
The officer who shot the suspect has been placed on a three-day administrative leave, which is customary, McCarty said.
The Minneapolis Police Department Homicide Unit and the Minneapolis Police Department Internal Affairs Unit are both investigating the shooting. The names of the suspect and the officer placed on leave will be released Tuesday, McCarty said.