Crime, Law and Justice

BCA identifies man killed by Richfield police

richfield shooting, investigators
Crime scene investigators process evidence at the scene of a police shooting on April 29 in Richfield.
Kerem Yücel | MPR News file

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on Monday identified the man Richfield police shot and killed on April 29 as a 27-year-old man from Plymouth.

The bureau said Richfield Police Sgts. Mario Leon and Kristian Schultz shot Desaver Brian Hollis with their department-issued firearms. Schultz also used his taser.

The bureau said its preliminary investigation found police were investigating thefts from vehicles at around 3:30 a.m. near West 76th Street and Penn Avenue. About 10 minutes later, they attempted to stop Hollis, who they identified through surveillance video from the thefts.

Hollis fled as Leon tried to arrest him, according to the bureau. Schultz hit Hollis with his taser.

Leon and Hollis scuffled before Hollis, while on his back, shot Leon in the hand. Schultz and Leon shot Hollis, who died at the scene.

The bureau said they recovered a handgun and spent casings. They will report their investigation’s findings without recommending charges to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.

Both Leon and Schultz are on critical incident leave.