On June 7, a memo issued by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the Justice Department will require federal agents to wear and activate cameras whenever encountering the public “during pre-planned law enforcement operations.” There is no squad camera footage of the incident,” the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in June. “The US Marshal Service currently does not allow the use of body cameras for officers serving on its North Star Fugitive Task Force. Smith’s death ignited protests in Minneapolis, a year following the murder of George Floyd and two months after former officer Derek Chauvin was convicted in that case.įriends and family members of Smith demanded body camera footage of the shooting. ![]() “As a result, the use of deadly force was authorized under Minnesota law in this case and no criminal prosecution is warranted.” “Their conduct was clearly in response to an apparent threat of death or great bodily harm,” he wrote. Smith was shot as Minneapolis was already on edge since the death of George Floyd over a year ago, and the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by an officer in nearby Brooklyn Center in April.Evidence shows suspect fatally shot by law enforcement in Minneapolis fired gun, investigators say The lack of body camera footage has raised questions, as Smith’s family members and activists have demanded transparency. Local officials have said the deputies were assigned body cameras but were told by the Marshals Service that they couldn't use them, despite an October change in Justice Department policy that would have allowed them to be used. Investigators said there is no body camera or squad camera footage, and they are unaware of surveillance video. State investigators have also said they were unaware of any video of the incident. Both deputies were working in an undercover capacity so their names are barred from being released under state law, authorities have said. Ramsey County didn't immediately reply to requests for comment.Īccording to court records, Smith was wanted for allegedly being a felon in possession of a firearm.Īuthorities were trying to arrest him when a Ramsey County sheriff’s deputy and a Hennepin County sheriff’s deputy who were members of the task force fired their weapons. Askar was hurt by shattered glass and is seeking damages for her physical and emotional injuries.Ī spokeswoman for Hennepin County said she wasn't aware of the lawsuit and that it would be inappropriate to comment if litigation was pending. She also claims the officers demonstrated a conscious disregard and deliberate indifference to the risk that Askar would be killed or seriously harmed. She said authorities did not identify themselves as law enforcement as they surrounded the SUV, pointed guns at her, shouted commands and ultimately fired their weapons. Pulse nightclub victims remembered on 7th anniversary of massacreĪmong other things, Askar claims her civil rights were denied when the task force officers prevented her from leaving by using a vehicle to ram into the back of Smith's SUV, smashing it into a barrier and leaving her trapped. Such notice is required under the Federal Tort Claims Act before a lawsuit can proceed. ![]() Askar’s attorneys have said she never saw a gun on Smith or in his vehicle and that he was shot after he held up a cellphone to begin recording.Īskar is seeking $15 million from the Marshals Service, according to a letter dated Wednesday in which her attorneys notified the agency that they would file a federal civil rights and torts claim in six months if the issue isn't resolved. and was sitting in an SUV in a Minneapolis parking ramp on June 3 when Smith, who was Black, was fatally shot as authorities tried to arrest him on a weapons violation.Īuthorities said Smith showed a handgun and that evidence shows he fired it. Norhan Askar was on a date with Winston Boogie Smith Jr. ![]() Marshals Service task force last month is suing, claiming she was emotionally traumatized and her civil rights were violated, her lawyers said Friday. Paul man when he was shot and killed in Minneapolis by members of a U.S.
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