The Hennepin County Attorney's Office will not be pressing charges against three Minneapolis police officers who shot and killed an armed man last summer.
The officers fired their service weapons during the incident in June that left 39-year-old Michael Ristow of Bloomington dead. Officers encountered Ristow around 9:00 p.m. after they were called to the 3300 block of Hiawatha Avenue on a report of a man with a gun who was acting irrationally.
One man said Ristow had waved a gun at him. Police body cameras captured a brief foot chase in the moment officers ordered Ristow to drop his gun and then opened fire.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty says her office found no evidence of unlawful behavior by law enforcement.
“The loss of any life is a tragic event,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “After a thorough review of the BCA investigation, the decision to decline charges in this case is appropriate. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this incident.”
The decision was made following a thorough review of an independent investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at the request of the Minneapolis Police Department. The County Attorney’s Office review of the case was conducted by senior attorneys who recommended charges be declined. County Attorney Mary Moriarty agreed with the recommendation and made the final decision.
No officers were injured during that incident.
