Minnesota Families Sue for Release of Investigative Files on Police Shootings

In a lawsuit filed on Monday, the families of five Minnesota men who were killed by police officers have demanded the release of investigative files by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The families argue that the state agency has failed to comply with Minnesota's open records law and should have provided them with the files within 10 days of their request. The BCA, however, claims that it releases information to families as quickly as possible.

The lawsuit, filed in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul, alleges that the BCA has not met its legal obligations to the families, making it difficult for them to seek justice within the state's three-year statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits. Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality, explained that obtaining the files would not only provide closure but also allow the families to gather evidence for potential legal action.

One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit is the family of Tekele Sundberg, who was experiencing a mental health crisis when he was fatally shot by Minneapolis police snipers on July 14, 2022, following an overnight standoff where he allegedly fired shots. Sundberg's mother, Cindy Sundberg, expressed her grief and frustration, stating that they have been trying to obtain the details and information for 16 months. She emphasized how painful it was to celebrate her son's 22nd birthday without him and called his death unbearable.

Another case outlined in the lawsuit is that of Zachary Shogren, an Army veteran who served in Iraq. Shogren's family stated that the police were aware of his PTSD and schizophrenia when task force officers shot and killed him in Duluth on February 24, 2023, after he ran towards them with a knife. Jim and Jenny Shogren, Zachary's parents, shared their devastation, pointing out that their son was meant to receive help instead of being pronounced dead within a minute of the confrontation.

The BCA maintains that it is committed to providing information to families and the public as quickly as possible while abiding by state law. Jill Oliveira, a spokesperson for the BCA, acknowledged the families' desire for swift access to information but highlighted the extensive review process that must be conducted to remove non-public data from the case files. Oliveira explained that this review includes dash camera footage, body-worn camera footage, surveillance videos, and voluminous reports.

The lawsuit also includes the families of Dolal Idd, who was killed by Minneapolis police during a gun purchase sting on December 20, 2020; Okwan Sims, who was shot by Stillwater police officers investigating a report of shots fired at an apartment complex on March 4, 2023; and Brent Alsleben, who was killed by Hutchinson police officers on December 15, 2022.

Attorney Paul Bosman, representing the families, raised concerns about the approaching statute of limitations for Dolal Idd's family, which expires at the end of the following month. Bosman emphasized that the case files can be extensive, ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 pages, and cited the families' need for sufficient time to review them before time runs out. Despite repeated requests, the families claim to have been stonewalled and received no response from the BCA.

Michelle Gross, the president of Communities United Against Police Brutality, stressed the importance of transparency and accountability from government agencies under the open records law. The BCA did not respond to emailed requests for comment on the lawsuit.