VIDEO: Jury Sees Video of Minnesota Officer's Shooting Death
Jurors in the Brian Fitch Sr. murder trial watched video Thursday afternoon captured by Mendota Heights (Minn.) PD Officer Scott Patrick's squad car that showed the traffic stop and shooting of the 18-year veteran officer. The dramatic footage brought a hush to the Stearns County courtroom where Fitch is facing murder charges for Patrick's death, reports the St. Cloud Times.
Two police officers testified Monday they exchanged gunfire with Fitch when he was arrested on suspicion of killing Officer Patrick, reports the St. Cloud Times.
The officers both testified at Fitch's murder trial that Fitch was shooting at them after a vehicle that Fitch was driving came to a stop in a St. Paul parking lot. Dozens of officers from several departments had been searching for Fitch and the vehicle he was driving after Fitch was named as the suspect in the July 30 killing of Patrick.
Officer Timothy Bohn and Sgt. Don Benner of the St. Paul Police Department were among the first to arrive as Fitch appeared to be trying to make a U-turn and get out of the parking lot. Bohn said Fitch fired at least two shots at him, and he returned fire. Benner was in a vehicle that arrived in the parking lot at about the same time. Benner said he fired four shots after he saw Fitch fire at him.
Stearns County jurors will decide whether Fitch is guilty of first-degree murder and other charges after the trial was moved from Dakota County because of pretrial publicity.
Related:
Minnesota Officer Shot, Killed During Traffic Stop
8 Miles of Mourners Expected to Honor Slain Minnesota Officer