Shootout in St. Paul Stemming from Domestic Violence Call Leaves One Dead and Officer Injured

St. Paul, Minn. – The shootout that resulted in the death of a man and the injury of a St. Paul police officer on Thursday has been revealed to have originated from a domestic violence call, which authorities consider to be among the most perilous situations an officer can encounter.

Officer Michael Tschida, a highly experienced veteran, has been hailed by the St. Paul police union for demonstrating remarkable bravery, skill, and mental toughness to protect the lives of community members. Tschida shot and killed 24-year-old Brandon Keys, who succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head on Friday morning.

According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Tschida was responding to a violation of an order of protection.

“Our officers are tasked with an incredibly challenging job and often find themselves in unpredictable and extremely dangerous situations,” stated St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry.

This incident further highlights the dangers faced by law enforcement officers when responding to domestic violence calls. So far this year, St. Paul has witnessed six domestic homicides, according to Chief Henry. Statewide, there have been 32 homicides linked to domestic violence, according to Violence Free Minnesota.

While Violence Free Minnesota acknowledges the risks faced by officers during such calls, they emphasize that those involved in the abusive relationship are the most vulnerable. In Minnesota, one in three women has experienced some form of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner, while for men, the figure stands at one in four.

Violence Free Minnesota represents 90 programs across the state that provide direct services to connect abuse survivors with advocates, aiming to ensure their safety.

“Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, these programs have witnessed an escalation in the severity of abuse experienced by survivors,” said Joe Shannon, a representative of Violence Free Minnesota.

The 24-hour statewide domestic violence hotline, which is available to both victims and their friends and family, serves as a critical resource for those seeking assistance. Advocates hope that loved ones will utilize the hotline to help develop safety plans for abuse victims.

For help in domestic situations, call the Day One hotline at 1-866-223-1111.

Reg Chapman

Reg Chapman joined WCCO-TV in May of 2009. He came to WCCO from WNBC-TV in New York City where he covered an array of stories for the station including the Coney Island plane crash, the crane collapse on the city’s east side, 50 shots fired at motorist Sean Bell by New York Police, and a lacrosse team assault at Fairfield High School in Connecticut.