Former Minneapolis police chief on ICE shootings

Man who was also trying to find those answers at the time of the pretty shooting. Former Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. Brian is joining us tonight to give us more insights into what happened in the friction between local and federal law enforcement. Brian, thanks so much for joining us via zoom tonight. I know you raced to that pretty scene. What do you recall about the federal response that day? Well, I mean, that was the third obviously of shootings that we had that month. And I can tell you for sure it was challenging at the first scene on Portland Avenue. But things continue to deteriorate day after day. Um, clearly in terms of, you know, our ability to communicate, to try and control the scene, uh, to try and preserve evidence. It was deteriorating as time goes went on. Um, and that morning was certainly the most challenging. Um, and in terms of the city, you know, I would say that was probably at the greatest risk that the city was of having very, very significant civil unrest. Brian, was there just it was a plain communication problems or or was there other issues playing as well out that day? Well, you know, as I mentioned, it was continuously getting more difficult. It was getting more challenging, and it was certainly less and less communication as time went on. Um, I think even on that scene that morning, uh, there were there were agents telling our officers to leave. Um, and and from what I remember, it was definitely exceptionally unusual. Uh, just not having really any effective communication and coordination in trying to secure a crime scene and trying to preserve evidence. And Brian, how frustrating was that for you and your investigators at the time? Well, the whole thing was frustrating, but it felt like the scene was incredibly unsafe. I remember that morning there were two small fires that had started on. It was if you know the both sides were continuing to escalate up until that point, and it certainly felt like that was a moment where things could explode. Brian, with the delays that occurred that day, I know you have a great understanding of how investigations work. Can they play catch up? At this point, we understand the feds have turned over some evidence at this point, but can adjust in fair investigation be conducted, um, for the pretty family for the good family? Do you have confidence in a fair investigation? Well, certainly, you know, no one can overstate how challenging this has been for all three of the families that have been involved in these shootings. Um, and we also don't know what we don't know, right? So if there has been, you know, a really, really thorough job done at investigating this use of force, we don't know that at this time. But I think, uh, really, the damage that's been done both to the community and to these families is their perception that that that outcome having a full and fair and just impartial investigation. That outcome may not be possible. I think that's what the perception has become. Brian, with six months of context here, what do you still want to know? Well, I mean, there's there's very obviously very serious questions raised in all three of those incidents, right? And just the way that the lack of coordination, the lack of cooperation, uh, and really just the difficulties around even just securing these scenes. Um, you know, it was really just unprecedented. Um, and I think the extent that this went to that morning, the B. C. A. At our request responded. Um, they were not welcome at the scene, and they actually secured a search warrant for a public space that they weren't able to execute in the city. I mean, it just shows just how highly, highly unusual all of this was. And hopefully, you know, we are moving past this as a country, and hopefully the city and other communities will not see something that extreme again. Former police chief Brian O'Hara joining us tonight to talk about the investigation. So far, we appreciate your time, Brian. Thank you.