Richfield police have released body-camera footage from a deadly pre-dawn shootout on April 29 that left 27-year-old Desaver Brian Hollis dead and a Richfield police sergeant shot in the hand. The video, paired with a state investigative timeline, shows the confrontation erupting at the end of a brief foot chase after officers responded to a reported theft from a vehicle.
What Officials Say Happened
According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's preliminary account, officers were called shortly before 3:30 a.m. on April 29 about a reported theft from a vehicle on the 7500 block of Morgan Avenue S. A short time later, they spotted a man who matched the suspect description about a block away on the 7500 block of Oliver Avenue S., at which point he ran. Parts of the encounter were captured on body-worn cameras, according to the City of Richfield.
Video Shows Chase Turning Into Gunfire
The released footage begins with a Richfield sergeant flipping on squad lights and yelling, “Stop right there,” before sprinting after the man into a nearby parking lot. There, officers tackle him and a brief struggle unfolds on the pavement.
Gunshots can then be heard on the recording. Investigators say Hollis raised a handgun and shot Sgt. Mario Leon in the hand, which led Leon and a second sergeant to fire their weapons in response. Hollis was killed in the exchange. His family was allowed to view the footage before it was made public and said they had retained a national civil-rights law firm, according to FOX 9.
Officers Named as State Probe Continues
The BCA has identified the officers who fired their weapons as Sgt. Mario Leon and Sgt. Kristian Schultz. Both have been placed on critical-incident leave while the investigation plays out. At the scene, investigators recovered a handgun and spent shell casings that they say are part of the ongoing forensic review.
The agency has said it will turn over its findings to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office for review. That preliminary account was reported in local media, according to the Star Tribune.
Family Presses for Full Transparency
Hollis's relatives and their attorneys say official summaries leave major gaps, and they are calling for the release of all available material, including every second of body-camera footage and the 911 calls tied to the incident. “To just say a weapon was brandished and gunfire was exchanged leaves a lot to question,” said Nikki Holiday, a legal liaison for the family, according to CBS Minnesota.
Advocates, including Valerie Castile, joined the family during their visit to the BCA, underscoring how closely watched another fatal police shooting in Minnesota has become among civil-rights groups.
What Comes Next in the Case
The BCA will forward its investigation to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, which has said it “will evaluate the case when their investigation is complete,” according to FOX 9. In the meantime, the two Richfield sergeants remain on leave.
The family's legal team has signaled they may pursue civil action depending on how prosecutors and investigators proceed. With the bodycam footage now in public view, that video is likely to play a central role in both charging decisions and any potential civil lawsuits in the weeks ahead.
