The five police officers who fatally shot a 23-year-old Eagan man in July after an hours-long standoff will not be charged.
Dakota County Attorney Jim Backstrom announced Wednesday the police shooting was "legally justified." Isak Aden was shot 11 times July 2, according to the Medical Examiner's Office. Family and friends described him as artistic, hard-working and dependable.
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According to the County Attorney's Office, Eagan officer Jacob Peterson, and Bloomington officers Matthew Ryan, Anthony Kiehl, Adam Stier and Daniel Nelson all fired their weapons after Adan reached for and raised the gun, and fired a round when a tactical plan to distract Aden and get him to surrender by using flashbangs and "less lethal munitions" went awry.
The office says Aden put the gun down from his head a couple of times throughout the evening after police originally responded to a woman reporting her ex-boyfriend had "just pulled out a gun."
Loretta VanPelt, an activist with Twin Cities Coalition for Justice for Jamar called the decision "shameful at best." The group is calling for release of body and dash cam video.
Bloomington Police Chief Jeff Potts said in a statement: "The life of Isak Aden was lost this past July and the impacts were significant to the Aden family, the officers involved, as well as the community. Today, the Dakota County Attorney’s Office reached a decision in the officer-involved shooting death of Isak Aden, concluding that officers were justified in using deadly force. We know this is a difficult time for everyone impacted by this situation. I am committed to helping anywhere I can, as individuals work through the process of dealing with their grief, emotions, and well-being. My hope is that we can begin the long process of healing from this tragic event." -
