Minneapolis Police Officer Shot, Suspect In Custody
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minneapolis Police officer is in fair condition after he was shot early Saturday morning.
Police says the shooting happened just before 5 a.m. after two officers had finished clearing the scene of a burglary call on the 1100 block of 24th Avenue North.
The officer, identified by WCCO's sources as Jordan Davis, was shot in the shoulder while standing outside of his squad car. His partner drove him to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.
Sources in the Minneapolis Police Department say Davis is recovering well and is now out of the hospital with no reports of any permanent damage.
Assistant Chief Matt Clark says police arrested 43-year-old Andrew Neal Saturday afternoon in connection with the shooting. WCCO's sources say Neal has a long criminal history, and had just been released from prison.
Neal was apprehended at a home on the 1100 block of Logan Avenue North after the SWAT team surrounded the residence.
Clark says Neal was arrested on probation violation, probable cause burglary and probable cause domestic assault.
The suspect allegedly broke into the home of a woman, who spoke to WCCO's Kate Raddatz. She knows Neal, and says her male friend stabbed him twice with a kitchen knife during the altercation before he fled.
The woman also said she plans to move for the sake of her family.
Neal allegedly shot Officer Davis after police arrived at the scene. Clark says the department is continuing to investigate the link between the burglary call and the shooting.
Clark says Officer Davis is a respected officer in the 4th Precinct, and has good relationships with the northside community he patrols.
Police Chief Janeé Harteau said Saturday morning that she believes the officers were targeted.
"This is a reminder to all that every one of our officers face such danger simply because they choose to wear a uniform," Harteau said. "They deserve our support and gratitude. We ask for continued prayers for this officer, his family and every officer who is out protecting and serving their communities."
Police say they're investigating the link between the initial burglary call that Officer Davis was dispatched to cover, and the shooting.
Mayor Betsy Hodges described the shooting as "a cowardly act."
Assistant Chief Matt Clark of the Minneapolis Police Department held a press conference on the incident Saturday afternoon: