Minneapolis Police Shoot, Kill Suspect During Traffic Stop: Here’s What You Should Know

The Minneapolis Police Department was involved in a shooting incident that left a felony suspect dead Wednesday. This is the first officer-related death in the city since George Floyd died in MPD’s custody on May 25, and has resulted in large scale protests against police brutality and racism in the area of the shooting, although on a smaller scale than what was seen earlier in the year. 

“Gun violence has gripped our city, and today is no exception. But the circumstances and the details of what transpired last night does not negate the tragedy of yesterday’s death,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey during a Thursday press conference. “A father and a mother are grieving, an entire community is grieving. And I’m of no false impression right now that my words will provide any sense of relief to our communities that have experienced so much pain.”

Minneapolis Police Department officers initiated a traffic stop on Wednesday to stop a felony suspect at the center of a weapons investigation, now identified as 23-year-old Dolal Idd, according to a search warrant application made public by the Hennepin County District Court. The document shows that the Minneapolis 1st Precinct Community Response Team members set up a gun sting against Idd with a confidential informant, who requested a meeting to buy a “MAC-10 high capacity pistol.” 

When Idd became aware of the police, he attempted to evade them. To prevent his escape, multiple MPD officers used their squad cars to box in Idd. According to both video evidence and witness statements, Idd then opened fire at the officers while boxed in, resulting in officers returning fire, fatally striking Idd. 

Shortly after, members of the community gathered in a protest against racism and police brutality. Protesters started a bonfire in the intersection next to the gas station parking lot where Idd was fatally shot.

With the temperature falling to the single digits inMinneapolis the fire seems to grow as people use it to keep warm. pic.twitter.com/fTWZLIZm8h

— daviss (@daviss) December 31, 2020

“I know that there are several who are out at the scene, who are gathering, and again, we want to do everything we can to protect everyone’s First Amendment rights to freely assemble and demonstrate,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo during the Thursday press conference. “But I say again, we cannot allow for destructive criminal behavior. Our city has gone through too much. If those demonstrations or protests should evolve into civil unrest, then I will make the decisions in terms of how we can try to peacefully resolve that.”

Minneapolis Police are now in riot gear on 36th and Cedar. The crowd will over 200 protesters. pic.twitter.com/Yzba2hN9N3

— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) December 31, 2020

Investigators with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s SWAT team carried out a search warrant at the last known residence of Idd after gaining information from informants that Idd had more illegal firearms at his house. The “knock and announce” warrant was executed a little past 2 a.m. on Thursday morning. 

According to the search warrant application, Idd lived in the basement of his parents’ house in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The family was home when the search warrant was carried out, drawing criticism from activist groups and community members alike, accusing law enforcement of using excessive force with the family. 

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office released a redacted version of body camera footage from the search warrant raid to the public, according to an HCSO press release.

“Sheriff Hutchinson said he made the video available for public viewing to clarify what occurred during the execution of the search warrant. There are allegations that HCSO Deputies acted inappropriately, inhumanely, and with excessive force,” stated the press release.

“Sheriff Hutchinson says the body-worn camera video tells a different story. Based on his viewing of the video, the Sheriff praised his Deputies for their professionalism and says they acted appropriately, respectfully, and followed HCSO procedure for high-risk warrants.”

In addition, the HCSO clarified that its SWAT team was requested to assist the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigators because of the high probability of firearms being present in the house, increasing the risk of violence.

According to the search warrant application, the reason for it being executed at night, and so quickly after Idd’s death, was due to law enforcement’s concern that the family would destroy or move evidence after hearing about the death of their son.