Gunman fatally shot by Minneapolis police identified

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Hennepin County medical examiner has identified the man who was shot by Minneapolis police earlier this week after authorities say he was brandishing a gun and ran from police.

Michael Warren Ristow, 39, of Bloomington, died of multiple gunshot wounds at the hospital June 12 at 9:52 p.m., from injuries he suffered in the 3400 block of Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis.

What led to the shooting

According to the Minneapolis Police Department, Ristow was armed with a handgun when police shot him.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said in a news release Thursday that there were “two separate but related incidents in which the same man brandished a firearm that resulted in the use of deadly force” by police at 9:19 p.m. in the 3400 block of Hiawatha. Street.

“It appears to be an individual armed with a handgun and acting irrationally, and I am grateful that no one else was injured by this incident,” O'Hara said in a press release. “We are awaiting the results of the BCA investigation to learn more about what precipitated this incident.”

The first incident occurred around 9:03 p.m. in the 3000 block of 29th Avenue South on Wednesday, June 12, when residents reported a man with a gun who “appeared to be talking to himself,” it says. A press release. About 16 minutes later, at 9:19 p.m., a 911 call came in from the 3400 block of Hiawatha Avenue. A caller said he saw a man “waving a handgun and felt threatened.”

Police responded to the scene and chased the man, who has now been identified as Ristow, on foot, telling him to stop and that he was under arrest as he fled. “There was a confrontation at the end of the foot pursuit,” the statement said.

Ristow was armed with a gun, police said, and officers told him multiple times to drop the gun, but he did not.

“Deadly force was used,” the statement said. “Officers recovered the suspect’s handgun and provided him with medical treatment.”

Chief O'Hara added that it was unclear whether Ristow fired his weapon and that it appeared his gun was jammed.

Ristow was taken to Hennepin Healthcare, where he was pronounced dead.

Four police officers were involved in the incident. They are all now on standard paid administrative leave. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara believes only three fired their weapons.

“Ultimately, there was a confrontation at the end of the foot chase, and the man was armed with a handgun in his hand,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O 'Hara, during an evening press conference after the shooting. “The officers gave several clear orders to drop the weapon, and the suspect did not obey. I have no reason to believe that this was anything other than a justifiable and lawful use of force. force by the police.”

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is currently investigating the incident. The Minneapolis Police Department announced it would release body camera footage of the incident.