Family of man killed by police seeks federal probe

A metal detector is used.
A metal detector is used at the site of an officer-involved shooting in St. Paul, Minn., on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2015.
Jeffrey Thompson / MPR News

The family of a 24-year-old man shot and killed by St. Paul police last month is calling for a federal investigation into the incident.

Attorney Ashwin Madia represents Marcus Golden's mother, Ericka Cullars-Golden. He said he's planning to make a formal request for the U.S. Justice department to take over the investigation from St. Paul Police.

"I think there's an inherent conflict of interest in a police organization investigating itself or investigating its own members," Madia said. "That's not commentary directed at any one person in particular. I think that it's just sort of common sense and human nature."

St. Paul police say Marcus Golden tried to run the officers over with his car after they confronted him in the parking lot of a University Avenue apartment building.

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He died at the scene. Neither officer was hurt.

In a statement, St. Paul police noted that the case would be presented to a grand jury, which will determine whether criminal charges are warranted.

A separate board that includes both police officers and civilians will examine whether the officers followed department policy.

The case is being reviewed by the Washington County Attorney's Office because of a conflict of interest in the Ramsey attorney's office.