Chaos erupted on the quiet streets of Saint Paul in the wee hours Saturday when police officers responded to a harrowing scene. A 911 call alerted authorities to a sexual assault in progress on the 400 block of Thomas Avenue West, where screams pierced the night, as detailed by an official statement from the Saint Paul Police Department.
SAINT PAUL OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING:
— Saint Paul Police Department (@sppdmn) January 6, 2024
One of our officers was involved in a shooting at approx. 12:18 a.m. this morning on the 400 block of Thomas Avenue W.
The man shot was transported to Regions Hospital for treatment. No officers were injured.
The call, received at around 12:18 a.m., indicated that a man was attacking a woman while reportedly wielding a handgun. Upon arrival, Saint Paul officers attempted to apprehend the suspect who was initially spotted trying to flee through a back window, before retreating into the building. Inside, officers managed to extract the victim before confronting the assailant, leading to a tense showdown. "He charged out of the apartment at them, and shots were fired by one officer, which struck the man in the arm," the department disclosed, narrating the tumultuous confrontation.
Subsequently, the wounded man received medical attention and was taken to Regions Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The woman, relief etched across her face, escaped physical injury during the shooting incident. Investigators are now combing through the aftermath seeking answers.
The officers involved in the shooting are now on administrative leave, a policy that is standard in the aftermath of such incidents. In compliance with the gravity of the situation, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has been brought in to conduct an impartial investigation. "The officers were wearing body cameras that were activated," the statement further clarified, ensuring that every moment of the encounter was captured on video.
The Saint Paul Police Department refrains from releasing further details, urging inquiries be directed to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
