Police shooting of man suspected of killing St. Paul artist ruled justified
St. Paul officers' bodycam videos released in Belle Plaine police shooting [RAW]
The St. Paul Police Department on Tuesday released footage from officers' body cameras from a police shooting in Belle Plaine on Sept. 26, 2024, that left Seantrell Murdock dead. Murdock was the suspect in the fatal shooting of an artist, Carrie Kwok, in St. Paul. police said. During the video, officers yell he has a gun and after Murdock is shot, Murdock says "Why did you shoot me," with one officer responding, "You had a gun in your hand, dude." Police then yelled for medics to come to the scene. Murdock died from his injuries at the hospital.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Scott County Attorney has ruled that the St. Paul police officers who fatally shot a Belle Plaine man accused of randomly murdering a St. Paul artist were justified in their actions.
Officers' actions ruled as justified
What they're saying:
The Scott County Attorney's Office said in a news release on Friday that officers involved in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Seantrell Tyreese Murdock acted within the law.
There were two officers who fired their weapons in the fatal shooting. At the time, Officer Aaron Bohlen had 10 years of law enforcement experience, while the other officer, Lane Christianson, had 20 years of law enforcement experience.
The news release cites passages from a letter sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension that explains how the decision not to charge the officers was made.
Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar announced the use of deadly force was "necessary to protect these officers from death or great bodily harm" and that the St. Paul officers acted within the law.
He then added "While the premature loss of life is always a tragedy, in this situation the officers acted both reasonably and responsibly. While attempting to peaceably arrest Mr. Murdock for an assassination-style murder of an unarmed civilian in Saint Paul on the previous day, Mr. Murdock’s actions far exceeded ‘resisting arrest’ and rose to the level of presenting a clear and present danger to the arresting officers."
The letter to the BCA reportedly concluded by saying "The officers appropriately exercised the use of deadly force pursuant to Minnesota statutes. Given the totality of these circumstances, known to these officers at the time, such force used as was necessary to protect these officers from death or great bodily harm."
Artist murdered in St. Paul
The backstory:
St. Paul artist killed identified by authorities
The artist who was killed in the Lowertown neighborhood of St. Paul has been identified as 66-year-old Carrie Kwok. FOX 9's Corin Hoggard has the story.
Police believe the artist who was allegedly killed by Murdock was the victim of random violence.
Carrie Shobe Kwok, 66, of St. Paul, was found shot dead in the 200 block of Kellogg Boulevard East on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
Lowertown Lofts Art Cooperative previously posted on Facebook that Kwok was a member of their group and was working on an art project in the alley at the time of the shooting.
"All she was trying to do is give us an even more beautiful and enjoyable and peaceful community," St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said at a press conference following the woman's death.
Friends told FOX 9 that Kwok leaves behind two adult children and four grandchildren.
Police fatally shoot suspect
Big picture view:
Police involved in deadly Belle Plaine shooting
St. Paul police say officers were involved in a shooting Thursday morning in Belle Plaine, which left one person dead. The incident remains under investigation, but police said it's related to a different fatal shooting that happened in downtown St. Paul on Wednesday night.
Police body-worn camera footage showed the shooting in Belle Plaine after police pursued Murdock.
Around 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 26, officers were in Belle Plaine investigating Seantrell Murdock as a suspect, when he exited a home he was in and was confronted by police.
Investigators approached Murdock near the intersection of South Chestnut and East Prairie streets, and the BCA says "at some point" during the confrontation, the two officers fired their guns, hitting Murdock.
Medical aid was given to Murdock, who later died at the hospital, authorities said.
The Source: A news release from the Scott County Attorney's Office and past FOX 9 reporting.