Man fatally shot by Minneapolis police on Wednesday identified

Authorities have identified the man shot and killed by Minneapolis police officers earlier this week.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office said Michael Warren Ristow, 39, of Bloomington, was shot multiple times on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, along the 3400 block of Hiawatha Avenue. He died at Hennepin Healthcare shortly before 10 p.m. that same evening.

According to the medical examiner's office, Ristow's death was ruled a homicide; However, the office asserts that while death classification is a statutory function, it does not constitute a legal determination of intent or culpability.

As 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reports, officers were called to the scene at 9:19 p.m. for reports of an armed man brandishing a firearm. That call came minutes after an armed man was talking to himself in the 3000 block of 29th Avenue.

When police arrived, a foot chase began, which turned into a confrontation during which officers fired their weapons. Police said the officers identified themselves and asked the man to drop his gun several times.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said that of the four officers who responded, three were involved in the shooting. The officers are on administrative leave but have not yet been identified.

Police recovered a handgun at the scene. When asked if the suspect fired the gun, O'Hara noted that the gun appeared to be jammed.

The BCA is investigating the shooting.