Woman Killed By Police Has Mayor Hodges 'Heartsick, Disturbed'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Questions outnumber answers in Minneapolis Sunday night.
Residents are trying to figure out why police fatally shot a woman in southwest Minneapolis.
"Basically my mom was shot for reasons I don't know," a person with the Women's March of Minnesota said.
The Women's March of Minnesota a video of a man who says his mother was the one killed. It happened around 11:30 p.m. Saturday near 51st Street and Washburn Avenue.
Minneapolis police responded to a call of a possible assault. At some point, a weapon was fired and a woman fatally shot. The BCA is now in charge of the investigation. They say the officers involved had body cameras, but they were not turned on.
People gathered near the scene of the incident Sunday night to remember the woman who lost her life.
Memorial to woman shot/killed by MPLS PD last night at 51st & S. Washburn Ave, chalk shows other police action shooting victims. @WCCO pic.twitter.com/wx6bnG5kUr
— Jeff Wagner (@Jeff_Wagner4) July 16, 2017
-----
The Women's March of Minnesota and the NAACP organized a vigil. There's much confusion and sadness as community members and residents try to piece together and wrap their heads around what happened.
It's known as one of the hottest real estate markets in the Twin Cities, almost picturesque and for half the weekend it was.
"We had a great feeling of community yesterday after we had a yard sale and then we wake up. Woke up, dog was barking at 1 o'clock in the morning to basically a crime scene roped off our backyard," neighbor Janelle Masterson said.
A scene that's hard to decipher. Minneapolis police responded to a possible assault call, and then the call turns fatal. A woman was somehow shot by police.
The BCA is now in charge, and our camera caught agents combing a Minneapolis police cruiser.
Hours later, Social activists started showing up.
"Yeah I wanted to do something," Lisa Ganser said.
Lisa Ganser made a chalk mural, leaving a heart for the woman killed.
"I like to bring love because it impacts people," Ganser said.
One of the people most impacted by this scene showed up too. He says the woman killed is him mom.
"I just know that she heard a sound in the alley and the cops showed up and she was a very passionate woman and probably know that something bad was happening and next thing I know they took my best friend's life," the video posted by the Women's March of Minnesota said.
Why that life is gone is in question. The BCA says the officers involved didn't have their body cameras turned on, and there's no squad car surveillance. They are trying to see if there's other video. And trying to figure out how a peaceful neighborhood became a source of tension.
Mayor Hodges sent a statement to us, saying she too has many questions. She, like many, asking why those body cameras weren't turned on.
"As Mayor of our City, a wife, and a grandmother, I am heartsick and deeply disturbed by what occurred last night. My thoughts are now with everyone affected by this tragic incident, especially the deceased woman and her family. The City will continue to provide updated information on this incident, and the BCA's investigation, as soon as we have it," the statement reads.