BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — A Brooklyn Park police officer was shot and injured in the line of duty late Friday.
Tyrice Depaul Laws of Crystal has been charged with attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer. He has also been charged first-degree assault for alleged use of deadly force against a peace officer, and two additional charges related to an order of protection against him.
According to a criminal complaint, the injured officer was among those responding to a domestic disturbance call at a home on Georgia Avenue North around 10 p.m. Friday. Officers arrived to find Laws, who had an order of protection against him, parked at the caller's home. Police said Laws and two officers exchanged gunfire, and one of the officers was shot.
The injured officer was taken to North Memorial Hospital, where the complaint states he was shot in the hip and backside. Police said the officer's injuries were not life-threatening.
Laws ran from the area, according the criminal complaint. After an extensive search, he was found and arrested a short time later. The complaint states Laws had a gunshot wound to his left arm.
According to the complaint, in an interview with police, Laws denied having or firing a weapon; however, the complaint says his claims were contradicted by body camera and squad car video of the incident.
"Luckily, the officer is OK," said Brooklyn Park police chief Craig Enevoldsen said about his injured officer. "From what I saw, how they responded, they responded exceptionally well to the situation. Clearly, everyone on the shift is very concerned for the well-being of their partner, that was their first and foremost concern."
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will lead the investigation into the shooting.