Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Withdraws from Investigation into ICE Agent’s Fatal Shooting
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has announced that it is no longer part of the investigation into the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The decision comes after the U.S. Attorney’s Office reversed its initial decision to allow the BCA to conduct a joint investigation with the FBI.
Background on the Investigation
On January 7, the BCA was notified of the shooting and began coordinating investigative work with the FBI, after consultation with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. However, the FBI later informed the BCA that the U.S. Attorney’s Office had decided to lead the investigation solely, and the BCA would no longer have access to case materials, scene evidence, or investigative interviews.
The BCA has stated that without complete access to the evidence, witnesses, and information collected, it cannot meet the investigative standards that Minnesota law and the public demands. As a result, the BCA has reluctantly withdrawn from the investigation, citing the need for consistency, accountability, and public confidence in the investigation process.
BCA’s Force Investigations Unit
The BCA’s Force Investigations Unit was created in 2020 to provide an independent, consistent, and trusted mechanism for investigating use of force incidents involving law enforcement officers. This unit was established following years of scrutiny, public engagement, and bipartisan legislative action, and has earned the trust of Minnesotans by delivering transparent and thorough investigations.
The BCA has expressed its commitment to building public trust in use of deadly force investigations and has called on the FBI to conduct a thorough and complete investigation. The BCA has also stated that it expects the full investigative file to be shared with the appropriate prosecutorial authorities at both the state and federal levels.
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