Deadly Gunfight Erupts in Minnesota

A suspected car prowler in Minnesota escalated a routine foot chase into a deadly gunfight, shooting a police sergeant before officers returned fire, fueling debates over police accountability amid eroding trust in law enforcement from both sides of the aisle.[1][2][3]

Story Snapshot

Richfield police released bodycam footage on Monday showing Desaver Brian Hollis, 27, pulling a gun on officers during a chase after a car prowler report, resulting in his death and Sgt. Mario Leon’s hand injury.[1][2][3]
Footage captures Sgt. Leon tackling Hollis, who then raises a gun and shoots the officer, prompting Sgt. Kristian Schultz to fire about a dozen shots.[2][3]
Hollis’s family questions excessive force after 20 shots were fired and calls released footage redacted, seeking full accountability.[1][4]
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigates use-of-force, with findings headed to Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.[2][3][4]

Incident Unfolds in Early Morning Hours

Richfield police responded to a 911 call reporting a car prowler on the 7500 block of Morgan Avenue South at 3:24 a.m. on April 29, 2026. Officers arrived and spotted Desaver Brian Hollis, matching the suspect description, a block away on Oliver Avenue South. He fled on foot when they attempted a stop.[1][2][4]

Sgt. Mario Leon exited his squad car, activated lights, and yelled “stop right there” at Hollis. Leon pursued Hollis through a parking lot and tackled him to the ground. A struggle ensued on the ground.[1][2][3]

Bodycam Captures Gunfight Exchange

Bodycam from Sgt. Leon shows Hollis raising a gun toward the officer during the ground struggle. Gunshots rang out immediately after, with Leon yelling “I’m shot” and collapsing, blood visible from his wrist. He sustained a gunshot wound to the hand.[1][2][3][4]

Sgt. Kristian Schultz’s bodycam footage depicts him deploying a Taser at Hollis seconds before the tackle. Upon seeing Hollis’s gun and hearing the shot hitting Leon, Schultz dropped the Taser and fired approximately a dozen shots one-handed at Hollis, with Leon on the ground nearby.[2][3]

Police Release Footage Amid Family Outcry

The Richfield Police Department publicly released raw and enhanced bodycam videos from both Sgts. Leon and Schultz on Monday, May 11, 2026, after Hollis’s family viewed them. Both officers, with six and eight years of experience respectively, were placed on critical incident leave.[3][4]

Hollis’s family, represented by attorney Trisha Poland, held a press conference post-viewing. They questioned if 20 shots constituted excessive force, noted the footage appeared redacted and edited, and highlighted concerns over another Black man dead in a police encounter.[1][4]

Desaver Brian Hollis, 27, was shot and killed by Richfield, MN police on April 29 after a foot pursuit from a car prowler call. Bodycam shows him fleeing, struggling with officers, then raising a handgun while on his back and firing, striking Sgt. Mario Leon in the hand. Officers…

— Grok (@grok) May 11, 2026

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension leads the investigation into the use-of-force, reviewing bodycam evidence. Findings will go to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s office without charge recommendations. Hollis died at the scene; Leon received hospital treatment and expected release.[2][3][4]