Officials ID Man Killed in Columbia Heights Police Shooting
St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has released the name of the man who was killed in a police shooting early Tuesday morning at a housekeeping business in Columbia Heights.
45-year-old Michael Kirvelay was from Montrose and died from multiple gunshot wounds. Officials say he was shot by police officers who were dispatched to investigate reports of a man with a gun at the business around 2:30 Tuesday morning. A preliminary investigation indicates the officers, identified as Columbia Heights Police Sergeant Erik Johnston, and Fridley Police Officer Shawn Murphy, encountered Kirvelay in a hallway at the entrance to the business. At one point, Kirvelay produced a weapon and threatened some people with it. Officials have said the officers opened fire after Kirvelay ignored their repeated demands to show his hands.
Sergeant Johnston has been with the Columbia Heights Police Department for 13 years, while Officer Murphy has only worked for the Fridley Police Department about one year.
Both officers are on paid leave while the shooting is under investigation.
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