Charges: James Klein Was Suspected Of Shoplifting At Walmart Before Shooting At Officers
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A man suspected of shoplifting at a Twin Cities Walmart and subsequently shooting at officers is facing felony charges.
Police say they returned fire after James Klein, 32, of Chaska, started shooting at them Monday in a Brooklyn Park parking lot.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County, officers responded to a shoplifting call at the Brooklyn Park Walmart. Officers were informed that Klein was purchasing a large amount of ammunition and wearing a holster.
Klein has a felony record and was not legally allowed to have a gun or ammunition.
When officers encountered Klein in the parking lot, he was asked to stop, but ignored officers and walked away. Officers discharged a Taser on Klein, but it had minimal effect.
"Klein ran between two vehicles parked in the parking lot and proceeded to fire a gun at the officer, who in return, fired at Klein," the Hennepin County Attorney's Office said in a release.
The complaint says body worn camera footage shows the car Klein was behind driving off and Klein with his gun still drawn. An officer, in response, fired at Klein and struck him in the leg and hand. Klein then fell to the ground.
No officers nor bystanders were struck by gunfire. Officers found numerous rounds of additional ammunition on Klein when he was searched.
Klein faces two counts of first-degree assault against an officer and one count of felony gun possession.
If convicted of the assault charges, Klein faces up to 40 years in prison.
Klein remains in the hospital under guard by officers.