Brooklyn Park cops shoot gunman during investigation into baby’s death, police say

BROOKLYN PARK, Minnesota. – Police said officers shot and killed an armed man overnight in Brooklyn Park while investigating the death of a baby.

Just before 4 a.m., officers were called to a home in Queens Gardens North near Noble and Prestwick Parkways after a 911 call reported a seven-month-old infant not breathing, police said.

The baby was taken to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

About 45 minutes later, police said, officers at the scene “encountered an adult male with a weapon.” An officer shot the man, who was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive.

According to police, officers recorded the encounter on video using their body cameras.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Minnesota State Patrol are leading the investigation.

WCCO spoke to the brother of the man who was shot, who asked not to be identified. He said the man who was shot was the baby’s father.

He told us that he had been in the house and witnessed the shooting.

“I tried to grab him,” he said. “He never had a chance to aim a gun. He never aimed a gun at anyone.”

The man says his brother was so desperate about his child that he kept the gun only for his own use.

“I think (the police) should have detained him and talked to him,” he said. “He had his back turned to the police officer who shot him.”

WCCO was unable to review bodycam video and confirm what happened.

“I beg the police officer on camera: ‘Please don’t shoot, please don’t shoot,'” said the victim’s brother.

He says the baby accidentally choked on milk in the middle of the night.

According to the family, the child’s father is in critical condition in the hospital.