2 Minneapolis police officers hurt in domestic abuse response; suspect in custody

Minneapolis domestic incidents leave 2 dead, 2 cops injured

A violent night in Minneapolis with two domestic incidents left a pair of siblings dead in an apparent murder-suicide, and two officers injured while trying to disarm a man with kitchen knives. FOX 9's Karen Scullin has the details.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Two Minneapolis police officers sustained knife wounds while attempting to disarm a man during a domestic abuse incident on Tuesday.

Minneapolis officers injured

What we know:

At around 12:45 a.m., officers responded to an apartment building on the 900 block of 21st Avenue South for reports of a domestic abuse incident. At the scene, police located a woman and man "physically struggling" over a child in the hallway, before the man retreated back into the apartment. 

The man barricaded himself in the kitchen, positioning himself near the kitchen knife set and using a pit bull as a shield. The officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and requested a crisis negotiator respond to the scene. 

At around 1:15 a.m., as officers tried to arrest the man, he armed himself with two knives. During the struggle, one officer sustained a cut to the head and the other to the hand. The man also had an apparent self-inflected stab wound to his chest, and injuries to his hand. Police said a Taser was deployed at some point during this incident, but it was ineffective.

The man was transported to Hennepin Healthcare for his injuries. Further details about his condition were not immediately available.

The two police officers were also taken to the hospital for their injuries, but have since been released. The woman and two children at the scene were not injured. 

What they're saying:

"This was a highly dynamic situation where the victim of domestic violence was in fear and our officers placed their lives on the line while taking the man into custody," said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. "I am grateful for the care, patience, and bravery these officers demonstrated in managing a very tense situation—one that certainly had the potential to escalate even further."

The man remains in custody at the hospital as of Tuesday evening. 

If you or someone you know is facing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit the hotline’s website to chat with an expert.