The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has disclosed the identity of the man and officer involved in a recent use-of-force incident occurring in Plymouth. Atanas Hristev, 44, of Champlin, was the man at the center of events that unfolded early in the morning of Nov. 25, as reported by the BCA. The officer who discharged his firearm, identified as Jacob Coopet, is a veteran with 23 years on the force. Following the incident, the Plymouth Police Department has placed Officer Coopet on critical incident leave, a measure customary in such situations.
According to findings from a preliminary investigation by the BCA, the confrontation took place after Officer Coopet was dispatched to a domestic disturbance. An adult male was reported to have been knocking on the window of an apartment located on the 6100 block of Quinwood Lane North. On his arrival at the scene around 4:30 a.m., Officer Coopet encountered Hristev in a parking lot. It was then that Hristev, who was armed, allegedly pointed a handgun at the officer, prompting Coopet to fire his weapon and strike Hristev. Assistance was rendered, and Hristev was hospitalized, where he is said to be in stable condition. This sequence of events, as outlined by the BCA, aligns with the evidence gathered, including a handgun, spent shell casings, and video footage from Coopet's squad car.
The BCA's role extends to the gathering of details pertinent to the use-of-force incident, followed by a handover of their findings to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. This process, devoid of recommendations from the BCA, allows the County Attorney to conduct a review. The Plymouth Police Department, keen on a transparent investigation, sought the expert services of the BCA to ensure the objectivity of the inquiry.
As an ongoing investigation, there are details and nuances yet to emerge. Precise actions and the context of the confrontation on that November morning remain under examination. The BCA is committed to piecing together the narrative of what transpired between Officer Coopet and Hristev. Once their investigation has concluded, further developments will be forthcoming with the Hennepin County Attorney's Office tasked with the review. The public looks on, expecting a full accounting of the truth behind the incident.
For more details on the BCA's ongoing investigation and the identities of the individuals involved, please visit the official release from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
