Minneapolis, Minnesota – The Minneapolis Police Department recently released body camera footage from a fatal shooting that occurred earlier in June, shedding light on the events that led to the death of 39-year-old Michael Warren Ristow. The videos depict the actions of three officers – Officer Chaz Wilson, Officer Enoch Langford, and Officer Abdirizaq Mumin – as they responded to reports of an armed individual in the area of 29th Avenue South and Hiawatha Avenue South.
The footage shows Officer Wilson initiating a foot pursuit after spotting Ristow with a gun, instructing him to drop the weapon. In the ensuing moments, shots are fired, and Ristow is eventually subdued by the officers. The bodycam footage reveals Officer Langford and Officer Mumin also engaging with Ristow, with Langford firing several rounds after repeatedly instructing the suspect to stop and drop the gun.
Following the incident, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) confirmed that all three officers fired their weapons, resulting in Ristow being fatally struck. The BCA recovered cartridge casings and determined that the handguns in Ristow’s possession had been reported as stolen.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara emphasized the challenges faced by officers in such high-pressure situations, highlighting the need for swift and decisive action when faced with a potentially armed and dangerous individual. O’Hara stressed the importance of understanding the complexities of law enforcement responses to armed threats, underscoring the need for public appreciation of the difficult decisions officers must make in such scenarios.
The release of the bodycam footage aims to provide transparency and clarity regarding the events leading up to the fatal shooting, offering insight into the actions of law enforcement officers in response to a perceived threat. The footage serves as a critical piece of evidence in the investigation into the incident, allowing authorities and the public to better understand the circumstances surrounding Ristow’s death.