Two charged in drive-by that led to Mpls. officer's death

(AP) Two men were charged with drive-by shooting Thursday for an incident that led to the death of a Minneapolis Park Police officer during an ensuing chase.

Antonio Smith, 18, of Minneapolis, and Wayne D. Henry Jr., 18, of Chanhassen, were both involved in a drive-by shooting Nov. 1 in north Minneapolis, the criminal complaints alleged. Nobody was injured in the shooting, but about an hour later police spotted a car that matched the description given by the intended target. Authorities said Smith crashed the car into a tree and then fled on foot. Officer Mark Bedard, 34, ran after him but was struck by a squad car in an alley. Bedard died Nov. 9.

Henry was charged with firing the gun during the drive-by shooting. Smith was accused of aiding and abetting the shooting and was also charged with fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, another felony.

The Hennepin County attorney's office said the findings from the ongoing investigation will determine if Smith or Henry are charged in Bedard's death.

Smith was being held Thursday on $150,000 bail; Henry was held on $100,000, according to the county jail's Web site.