A Minneapolis police officer was shot dead in an ambush while trying to aid a suspect who initially posed as a victim in need of help in Thursday’s mass shooting, police said. Official.
Officer Jamal Mitchell, 28, responded to a report of a shooting inside an apartment in the city’s trendy Whittier neighborhood and jumped out of his car to help the gunfire victim, said Criminal Investigations Superintendent Drew Evans. Press conference Late Thursday.
However, the man he rushed to help ended up becoming a suspect and shot and killed the “brave hero” who was just trying to help.
Mitchell had been with the police department “less than two years” when he was shot about a block and a half away from where the first reports of a mass shooting were received.
A second officer then exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was shot dead at the scene.
Both officers were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where Mitchell died from his injuries. Official.
The other officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries and has been released from the hospital.
“Today, the city of Minneapolis lost a brave hero,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement.
“Officer Jamal Mitchell was a father, a son, a fiancé and a beloved member of the Minneapolis Police Department. Today he made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and save the lives of others. His life, his service and his name will forever be remembered in the city of Minneapolis.”
“Our hearts go out to Officer Mitchell’s family and loved ones, the families of the victims of this senseless tragedy, and the grieving members of our excellent police department.”
