The Latest: Union head: Minneapolis shooting justified

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Latest on the release of body-camera video in the June fatal shooting of a black man by Minneapolis police (all times local):

10:30 a.m.

The head of the Minneapolis police union says body-camera video proves two officers were justified in using deadly force in the fatal shooting of a black man.

Lt. Bob Kroll says 31-year-old Thurman Blevins gave officers no other option when he ran from them June 23. Kroll says Blevins pointed the gun at the officers and fired a shot.

Kroll says the officers were within their rights to fire at Blevins.

The officers were responding to a 911 call of a man firing a gun into the air and into the ground.

The shooting is being investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

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12 a.m.

Officials in Minneapolis have released body camera video from two police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old black man.

The city released the footage Sunday night. It shows Officers Ryan Kelly and Justin Schmidt chasing Thurman Blevins on foot June 23. Blevins was shot after the pursuit turned down an alley.

Both officers fired their weapons, and a handgun appears on the ground next to Blevins after he’s shot. Kelly and Schmidt are on paid administrative leave.

Sydnee Brown, a cousin of Blevins, told the Star Tribune that the video confirms her belief that he was not a threat to the officers. She added that they “didn’t view him as a human being.”

The shooting is being investigated by the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

This June 23, 2018, image from multiple police cam videos provided by the Minneapolis Police Department shows a chase between Officers Justin Schmidt and Ryan Kelly and suspect Thurman Blevins, in Minneapolis. Authorities in Minneapolis released the body camera video Sunday, July 29 from the two police officers in the fatal shooting of Blevins, with the footage showing the man shot from behind after a frenetic foot chase and what appeared to be a gun in his hand. (Minneapolis Police Department via AP)

This June 23, 2018, image from multiple police cam videos provided by the Minneapolis Police Department shows a chase between Officers Justin Schmidt and Ryan Kelly and suspect Thurman Blevins, in Minneapolis. Authorities in Minneapolis released the body camera video Sunday, July 29 from the two police officers in the fatal shooting of Blevins, with the footage showing the man shot from behind after a frenetic foot chase and what appeared to be a gun in his hand. (Minneapolis Police Department via AP)