ROBBINSDALE, Minn – The Robbinsdale Police officer accused of shooting an 18-year-old in April has been cleared of wrongdoing. After a four month investigation, Robbinsdale Police issued a statement Thursday saying in part, "the shooting was justified under Minnesota's use of deadly force statutes."
The news release said the investigation included dash cam video from an officer's squad car, talking to witnesses and officers on the scene.
The Robbinsdale Chief of Police, Jim Franzen, said when Sgt. Thomas Rothfork fired his weapon, Harris was holding a butcher knife in her hand. Chief Franzen declined to talk on camera but provided still images he created from the dash camera video.
"She continues to charge this way toward the victim and toward the officer. She ignores the officer's commands," he said, pointing to a frozen image. "What you don't see here is the officer starts backing up to allow more space and more time for her to stop and drop the knife, she doesn't. She is within 5 to 10 feet in front of the officer. That is when he fires and stops the assault."
Harris' mother initially called 911 on April 16 to report an unwanted person outside their apartment complex at 3755 Hubbard Ave. N., for a verbal confrontation. Police said another call was received indicating the people involved left the scene. About seven minutes later, Chief Franzen said another call was made stating that the vehicle had returned. Franzen said the original responding officers were outside the apartment complex talking to those involved when Harris ran out with a knife. Franzen said while running, Tania yelled, "I am going to kill you, (expletive)" and began chasing the other female party. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office handled the investigation.
By contrast, the 18-year-old, still recovering from her wounds tells a different story. She said she was not charging at the officer. She said doctors removed three bullets from her body.
"They actually thought when I came in the hospital I got shot two times. They had removed one (bullet) from my stomach," she said. "It was one that had went through my pelvis and was stuck in my back but they didn't know about that. It split my liver a little bit."
Harris was charged with second-degree assault. Her trial is scheduled for Sept. 21 in Hennepin County.
"Who can I trust? My mom called them (police) to protect us and they shot her child. How are we supposed to feel?," she said. "He knew I wasn't charging toward him. He knew the girl had been harassing me. I don't know if he got confused."
When Harris lifts her blouse, it's easy to notice a vertical scar. That scar is about the length of the teen's torso. But Harris says the invisible scars are the hardest to heal. One day, she will have to explain to her daughter what happened.
"It is a blessing I am still here for my daughter and for my family," she said. "The more I talk about it and express myself, it is helping me to get over it more."
The attorney representing Harris, Stephen L. Smith, said he and his client disagree with the findings of the investigation.
"Because such lethal force was used the family is distraught over that. They questions whether that was necessary under the circumstances," Smith said. "This has been a traumatic situation for her. The reality is there was a lot of stuff that happened before this particular confrontation. That is the type of information that is not out in the public domain."
Meanwhile, Chief Franzen said the officer involved in the shooting has one written warning in his personnel file from 1997 for failure to complete a two hour overtime Safe and Sober patrol shift.
