A Minneapolis police officer fired a weapon Thursday during an armed carjacking pursuit involving a 16-year-old.
That boy was taken into custody Thursday just before 5:00 p.m. in South Minneapolis near West 31st Street and Grand Avenue South following an carjacking spree that involved that armed teen.
That car's driver drove away and the teen then stole another car. Police tracked the car to Pleasant Avenue where it made contact with a MPD squad car, and that's when an officer opened fire.
Two officers sustained minor injuries during the incident, according to MPD Sgt. Garrett Parten.
"One officer sustained a small cut to their face and another officer sustained a minor ankle injury," Parten explains. "The officer who discharged their weapon was not injured. No one sustained serious physical injuries during this incident."
The boy involved was not shot, but was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
"When a police officer discharges their firearm during an encounter with a 16-year-old boy, the potential consequences are enormous," Parten added. "The incident could have ended with the Minneapolis police officer seriously injuring or killing a 16-year-old boy, and such an outcome would have been absolutely devastating."
The Minnesota BCA has taken over the investigation.
"We recognize the seriousness of an officer who discharges their firearm regardless of whether anybody was struck," Parten said. "That is why I cannot overstate how thankful we are that this encounter did not result in a loss of life or serious injury, and we are grateful for that outcome, while we recognize the importance of a thorough and independent investigation into what occurred tonight."
Two officers sustained minor injuries but nobody was shot during the incident
Two officers sustained minor injuries but nobody was shot during the incident
