MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – An armed robbery suspect is jailed and awaiting charges after being shot and wounded by police in north Minneapolis.
Police say on Monday afternoon they were conducting surveillance on 24-year-old Derrel Pruitt, who they say has been connected with multiple armed robberies in Minneapolis and other cities. After pulling over the car he was riding in for a traffic stop, Pruitt jumped out of a car, holding a shotgun.
As Pruitt fled on foot, an officer tried to grab Pruitt’s coat as he was removing it. That’s when the shotgun fell to the ground.
Police said officers gave chase and ordered Pruitt to stop. One of the officers feared Pruitt was reaching for a weapon and shot him.
Pruitt was treated for his injuries and then jailed.
NewsRadio 830 WCCO’s Steve Murphy Reports
“Thank goodness none of our officers were hurt — or any innocent bystanders in this situation,” said Sgt. Steve McCarty, a Minneapolis Police spokesperson.
McCarty said police really wanted to get this suspect, noting he’s wanted in a dozen armed robberies in the Twin Cities in just the past month.
The Hennepin County Attorney is considering multiple charges.
The officer who shot Pruitt has been placed on a three-day administrative leave, which is standard procedure, according to McCarty. That officer has not yet been identified.
