Officers, victim identified in Columbia Heights officer-involved shooting
One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting at a business on the 700 block of 40th Avenue NE in Columbia Heights.
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. (KMSP) - The two officers involved in an officer-involved shooting in Columbia Heights, Minn. on Tuesday morning have been identified as Sergeant Erik Johnston of the Columbia Heights Police Department and Officer Shawn Murphy of the Fridley Police Department.
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, with a gun. The officers called for backup from the Fridley Police Department. After repeatedly asking Kirvelay to show his hands, the officers fired, killing him.
The Midwest medical examiner’s office said Kirvelay died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Both police officers involved in the incident have been 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.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the officer-involved shooting. The BCA said they have body camera footage of the incident they are using in their investigation.