Grand jury to hear officer-involved shooting in Columbia Heights

A grand jury will hear the Nov. 24 fatal officer-involved shooting in Columbia Heights, Minn., the Anoka County Attorney's office announced on Monday.

Columbia Heights police officers responded call domestic incident involving a person with a gun at a maid service on the 700 block of 40th Avenue NE around 2:30 a.m. Upon arrival, officers encountered Michael Gerald Ray Kirvelay, 45, holding a gun on his sister. The officers called for backup from the Fridley Police Department. After repeatedly asking Kirvelay to show his hands, the officers fired, killing him.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension conducted an investigation into this incident and submitted their report to the Anoka County Attorney's Office for review of charges. The grand jury is expected to convene in May.

The officers were identified as Sergeant Erik Johnston of the Columbia Heights Police Department and Officer Shawn Murphy of the Fridley Police Department. Both police officers involved in the incident were placed on standard administrative leave. Johnston has been with the Columbia Heights Police Department for 13 years and Murphy has been with the Fridley Police Department for a year.