The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the identity of the individual killed during a use-of-force incident on May 30 in Minneapolis. Mustafa Mohamed, 35, of Minneapolis, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, as determined by the medical examiner.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has disclosed the identities of two Minneapolis police officers who employed force during the altercation. Both officers are presently on critical incident leave.
Nick Kapinos discharged his department-issued handgun, bringing to bear his 10 years of law enforcement experience.
Luke Kittock discharged his department-issued rifle, drawing upon his nine years of law enforcement service.
Preliminary findings from the ongoing investigation suggest that officers were summoned to an apartment building on Blaisdell Avenue following reports of a shooting. Officer Jamal Mitchell was the initial responder to the scene. Mitchell encountered two individuals, identified as Mohamed and a bystander, both sustaining injuries in the street. Approaching Mohamed, who was seated beside a parked vehicle, Mitchell inquired about his well-being. In an unexpected turn of events, Mohamed produced a handgun and fired upon Mitchell at close proximity, incapacitating him.
Subsequent to Mitchell’s incapacitation, additional officers arrived and observed Mohamed persistently firing at Mitchell. Upon approaching the scene, Mohamed directed his gunfire towards the officers. In response, Kapinos and Kittock returned fire, ultimately striking Mohamed. Efforts to administer life-saving measures were futile, and Mohamed succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Mitchell was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Kittock sustained injuries during the exchange of gunfire, necessitating hospital treatment and subsequent discharge. A Minneapolis firefighter and a bystander also sustained injuries, with the latter currently hospitalized in critical but stable condition.
BCA crime scene personnel recovered a handgun with an extended magazine and multiple cartridge casings at the scene. Video footage captured by both body-worn and squad car cameras is under scrutiny as part of the ongoing investigation.
In addition to probing the use-of-force incident, the BCA is investigating related shootings, including a homicide within the apartment building, at the behest of the Minneapolis Police Department. Further details pertaining to the incident will be disclosed as the investigation progresses.
Upon conclusion of the investigation, the BCA will furnish its findings to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for review, sans charging recommendations.