– woman fatally shot by officers in St. Paul
– BCA identifies woman fatally shot by police officers in St. Paul.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has officially identified the woman who was fatally shot by officers in St. Paul earlier this week. The names of the three officers involved in the incident have also been released.
Authorities state that the officers were responding to reports of a suicide in progress in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood around 7:15 p.m. on Monday. Upon arrival at the scene on Rose Avenue East, a woman inside a residence pointed a handgun at the officers, leading them to open fire. Tragically, the woman, identified as 41-year-old Pepsi Lee Heinl, succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds and passed away at the scene.
Following the incident, the three St. Paul police officers who discharged their weapons have been placed on critical incident leave. The officers have been named as Chiking Chazonkhueze, Chee Lao, and Yengkong Lor. Chazonkhueze and Lor possess several years of law enforcement experience, while Lao has just three months of experience in the field.
St. Paul police have requested the assistance of the BCA in investigating the officers’ use of force in this case.
BCA’s Preliminary Investigation Findings
According to the BCA’s preliminary findings, upon arrival at the scene, officers were directed to the back room of the residence by the woman’s mother. Heinl was found sitting on the floor, and officers inquired if she required any assistance.
Heinl then swiftly reached under a blanket to retrieve a handgun, stood up, and aimed it at the officers. In response, all three officers discharged their firearms, striking her multiple times. Despite attempts at administering life-saving measures, Heinl tragically passed away at the scene.
At the scene, authorities recovered a handgun and cartridge casings. It has been confirmed that the officers were equipped with body-worn cameras, and St. Paul police are collaborating with the BCA to release the footage in a timely manner without hindering the ongoing investigation.
The BCA has stated that it will present its findings to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office for review, without a specific charging recommendation.
City Council Members Advocate for Swift Release of Body Cam Footage
Several members of the St. Paul City Council issued a statement on Tuesday in response to the tragic shooting incident. Expressing their condolences to the bereaved family, the council members emphasised their commitment to providing support and care during this difficult time.
The council members have called for the prompt release of body camera footage from the incident, citing previous instances where the police department has demonstrated transparency through such releases. They believe that sharing the footage will enhance transparency within the community.
Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, immediate help is available through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counsellors are accessible 24/7 to provide support.
Furthermore, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers assistance for those grappling with mental health challenges. Individuals can reach out to the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640 for support. NAMI has a network of over 600 local organisations and affiliates across the country that offer free support and educational programmes.
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– BCA identifies woman fatally shot by officers in St. Paul
– BCA identifies woman fatally shot by officers in St. Paul, Minnesota.
