An Anoka County grand jury has declined to charge two police officers for their involvement in the shooting death of an armed man in Columbia Heights last November.
The officers were cleared in the shooting of Michael Kirvelay, 45, according to a news release from the Anoka County attorney's office.
Sgt. Erik Johnston of the Columbia Heights Police Department and Fridley police officer Shawn Murphy responded to a 911 call from a Columbia Heights business around 2 a.m. on Nov. 24, where Kirvelay had taken a hostage, according to the release. After unsuccessful negotiations, Kirvelay was shot at the scene and died.
Family members said they believed he was armed with a BB gun.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigated the incident, and its results were used for consideration of criminal charges against the officers.
