County prosecutor says fatal police shooting in St. Paul was legally justified

The Ramsey County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday that it will not file charges against a St. Paul police officer who fatally wounded a man during an exchange of gunfire on a city street last December.

Video of the incident shows Officer Michael Tschida – the first officer to arrive at the scene of the domestic violence call – being shot in the leg by 24-year-old Brandon Daleshaun Keys. Tschida fought back, hitting Keys, who later died.

The shootings took place along Marshall Avenue on December 7. Authorities said Keys' former romantic partner called 911 to report that Keys was ramming his vehicle and that he was armed.

St. Paul police had released body camera video of the shooting less than a week after it happened. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's investigation continued and the results were forwarded to the Ramsey County Prosecutor's Office.

The county attorney's office summarized those findings in a report released Thursday, along with the decision not to file charges.

The report states that in addition to video evidence, three witnesses told BCA investigators they saw or heard Keys fire his gun first.

County Attorney's Office staff wrote that Tschida was “objectively reasonable in his belief” that Keys “posed an imminent threat to his life and the lives of other bystanders” and that if Tschida had not used deadly force , the officer “was reasonably likely to be killed or suffer serious bodily injury.”

In a letter released Thursday, Ramsey County Prosecutor John Choi wrote that he agreed with his team's recommendation that the use of deadly force was legally justified and that criminal charges were not appropriate. not justified.

“I am sure this incident has deeply affected everyone involved, including our community. The truth is that too often police officers are called to dangerous situations and must risk their lives to protect those who call on them and our community,” Choi wrote. “We should appreciate this act of public service while recognizing the profound loss felt by Mr. Keys’ family and friends.”